Kehinde Fajobi
A crowd of supporters has called for the release of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the CEO of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the principal of an Islamic high school in Ibadan, Fasasi Abdullahi.
The three individuals are being held in connection with a deadly stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, on December 18, 2024, that resulted in the deaths of several children.
The supporters, who were seen kneeling and crying in a video shared by Drive TV News, gathered at the Ibadan Network Centre of the Nigerian Television Authority on Thursday.
They expressed their unhappiness over the arrests of Silekunola and Hamzat, whom they described as benefactors of their benevolence.
“I’m appealing to the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for the release of Oriyomi and others who were arrested,” said a man who identified himself as Peluola Akintayo.
A businesswoman from the Afijio area, Kareem Toyin, who said she represents the market women, also pleaded for the release of the three individuals.
“This man who was arrested, Alhaji Hamzat Oriyomi, is our helper. He always helps people in need. When we heard about the incident, we felt sad.
“We are using this medium to appeal to the affected people to please have mercy on him, Queen Naomi and the principal,” Toyin said.
She added that many of the people Hamzat used to assist with their feeding and well-being are now at home crying, and some of the students he paid school fees for are also affected.
A police officer who identified himself as the Divisional Police Officer of the Yemetu Police Division addressed the crowd, informing them that the area commander was on his way and that the managers of the NTA were present to listen to their pleas and broadcast the procession.
The Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi of Magistrate’s Court 1 sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has adjourned the case until January 13, 2025, meaning that the defendants will spend Christmas and New Year in custody.