- 35 children tragically lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas party in Ibadan
- The African Action Congress blamed government negligence for the tragedy and demanded accountability
- TheRadar compiled other public reactions following the tragic incident below
Nigerians have expressed deep sorrow and sympathy for the families of children who tragically lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas party in Ibadan.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, December 18, claimed the lives of at least 35 children. The stampede took place at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, during a children's festive celebration.
Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, was reported as one of the key organizers of the event. Additionally, Agidigbo 88.7 FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, had actively promoted the event in the days leading up to the tragedy.
Grief, outrage after stampede at Ibadan party
Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, confirmed the incident in a press statement.
“The commissioner said Parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children are urged to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where children affected were taken for proper medical attention, with valid means of identification: Patnas Hospital, Basorun, Western Hospital, Basorun, Ringroad State Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital and University College Hospital (UCH),” the statement read.
In the wake of the disaster, the public has expressed widespread grief, with many extending condolences to the affected families.
Reacting, the African Action Congress (AAC) Oyo State expressed condolences to the victims families.
The party state chairman, Kayode Babayomi said, “This incident serves as a testament to the failure of the current government, as well as successive governments, in adequately protecting the lives and well-being of the people. We emphasize that the Seyi Makinde-led government must take full responsibility for this incident instead of offering vague responses. The government must ensure the safety of its citizens.
“Those responsible for this tragedy, including those involved in similar events, must not be allowed to evade responsibility, and the deaths of these 32 children must not be swept under the carpet as usual.
“Finally, we assert that the root cause of this tragedy lies in poor governance and irresponsible conduct by the government leaving the mass of our people in abject poverty and with no choice than struggling and fighting to win giveaways, resulting in stampede. They should not shirk their responsibilities and expect the citizens to bear the burden alone.”
People react to Ibadan stampede
TheRadar compiled other public reactions below:
“May their soul rest in peace... This goes as far to tell that there's hunger in the land,” Ochichi stated.
“Is this deliberate or those calling for the investigation are just naturally dumb to understand that the event was nothing short of poverty ? People are hungry. The most annoying thing is, those who are calling for the investigation are those in power,” Sanusi Yahya reacted.
“If Nigeria is country that has vision leaders what happened in Ibadan wouldn’t have occurred,” Big_Mafia001 added.
“We should blame the government because their policies made things harder for Nigerians,” Musa Michael stated.
“This is too unfortunate,” NanaEzze stated.
“I fear this would not end Agidigbo FM..it's so hard to swallow the pain of the people that lost children,” Juxtapos_Buumba reacted.
“What's the fate of the culprits,” Mazi Ikanako stated.
“Only if they could feed their family,” Alusi Igbonile reacted.
“This is bad. See what giveaway has caused,” Mav added.
“President tinubu @officialABAT killed these children with his barbaric and draconian policies. Nigeria cannot survive with food inflation @ over 50%. He has failed. He should resign,” Samosa reacted.
“Hunger is the real cause. Nigerians are hungry, in pains,” Focus 24/7 stated.
“Hunger killed them,” Cherry Nwa Mary reacted.
“35 Yorubas killed by @officialABAT bad polices. Yoruba loves suffering , Emilokan people,” End bad governance stated.
105 dead, 55 injured in Jigawa petrol tanker explosion; Multiple injuries reported in Ibafo
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that a petrol tanker explosion in Jigawa resulted in the death of 105 individuals and left 55 injured.
Another petrol tanker overturned, causing a fire that injured several people and destroyed properties on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.