A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, where multiple people, mostly children, were feared killed in a stampede during a children’s carnival at Basorun Islamic High School, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
Governor Seyi Makinde has condemned the stampede, stating that investigations are ongoing and the primary organisers of the event have been taken into custody.
The governor expressed sympathy with the parents of the victims, describing it as a sad day for Oyo State.
“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries. This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.”
“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. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured. While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody,” Makinde added.
“I want to reassure our people that anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable. Please remain calm as the security agencies investigate this unfortunate incident,” the governor further assured.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation Prince Dotun Oyelade described the stampede as unfortunate and clarified that the state government was not involved in the planning of the private children’s end of the year funfair and neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide logistics to support the event.
Oyelade also stated that other victims of the stampede have been moved to various hospitals in Ibadan for medical attention and that the state government will provide support to the victims.
Oyelade stressed the need for proper coordination in organising large events, especially those involving children and elders, and noted that the State Government was not involved in planning the private children’s end of the year funfair, nor was the Ministry of Health requested to provide logistics.
He advised concerned parents to check hospitals including Patnas Hospital, Basorun, Western Hospital, Basorun, Ringroad State Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, and University College Hospital (UCH) where affected children were taken for medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Oyo state Police command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso, said an investigation is ongoing and updates would be provided accordingly.
