20th December 2024
Police has confirmed that 35 children dead, with six others sustaining varying degrees of injuries following the pandemonium at a children funfair organised at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan on Wednesday.
The Oyo State Police Command had on Thursday detained a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, and six others as investigation into the stampede at a funfair continues.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, said, “Among those detained are Silekunola, aged 31, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the school.
“The other individuals arrested include Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisolaja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, with ages ranging from 25 to 52 years.
A non-governmental organisation, Women in Need of Guidance and Support, founded by Naomi Silekunola had organised the funfair at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan on Wednesday but the event, however, turned tragic as a crowd thronged the venue, resulting in the stampede that led to the deaths.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday expressed sadness over the tragic incident in Ibadan and directed relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy thoroughly.
READ MORE; 30 Children Feared Dead In Ibadan Funfair Stampede
This would involve “a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues,” the President said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President extended his condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families, who lost their children.
The palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has also sympathised with the Oyo State Government, and organisers of the children’s party over the loss of lives.
In a statement signed by Ooni’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, and obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, the monarch also commiserated with Hamzat over the incident.
“While at the Ile Oodua here as a queen, Miss Naomi Silekuola Ogunseyi demonstrated love and care to the children of Ile-Ife through similar events, which she executed passionately to give succour to children of indigent parents every December, during periods like this.
“The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss.
