At least 32 people reportedly lost their lives yesterday during a stampede at a children’s carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State. The state government, however, declared that the organisers of the event have been arrested.
It was gathered that the carnival was billed to take place today, but some parents took their children to the venue yesterday, while some arrived in the early hours of Wednesday.
As a result of the stampede, it was learnt that many children were feared dead.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the stampede occurred at a private children’s funfair held at Islamic High School, Basorun, leading to the loss of 32 lives, mostly children, while some others sustained injuries.
He said the state government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team to the venue following the incident.
The commissioner noted that victims have been taken to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention.
While appreciating the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately activating all available response teams to assist at the scene of the incident, Oyelade noted that the state government would do all in its power to stand by the stampede victims in this trying period.
He noted that the state government was not involved in planning the carnival, and the Ministry of Health did not organise the private end-of-year children’s funfair.
According to the statement, the state government was not involved in any planning, and the Ministry of Health was not requested to provide any logistics to support the private children’s end-of-year funfair.
He said, “We are currently awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has ordered the arrest of the organisers of a children’s carnival where an unspecified number of children have been reportedly killed in a stampede.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the governor disclosed that the state government had taken some steps to halt further deaths and had commenced an investigation, noting that those responsible for the incident would be held accountable.
Makinde said medical personnel and ambulances have been deployed to the venue, the event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out.
“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families.
“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue.
“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody”.
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