President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the stampede at a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan that led to at least 35 deaths.
Tinubu ordered a probe into the incident which also left six others critically injured.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School in Bashorun.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his condolences to the grieving families and the people and government of Oyo State.
The president called for a thorough investigation into the incident, and stressed the need for accountability.
He directed the relevant authorities to uncover whether negligence or deliberate actions played a role in the tragedy, and promised a transparent and credible inquiry.
Tinubu also charged the Oyo State Government to implement safety measures for public events.
“Among the essential actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues,” Tinubu said while noting that
“Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.”
NewsNGR reported that the stampede happened during a children’s funfair organised by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, a popular Ibadan-based radio station owned by broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat.
However, Agidigbo FM has since distanced itself from the event, stating it only promoted the funfair as part of its media activities.
According to a press release signed by the station’s Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab, Agidigbo FM became aware of a large crowd gathering at the venue before 5 a.m. on the day of the event.
The station said it used jingles and public service announcements to discourage further attendance to prevent overcrowding.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds that Agidigbo FM, is the organiser of the children’s funfair, however, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organiser of the event, but one of the media outfits used to promote the event,” the statement reads in part.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitise the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.”
“This is not the time to spread misinformation. The Management of Agidigbo FM implore the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathise with the family of those who lost their lives,” Abdulwahab said
Meanwhile, Punch earlier reported that the death toll from the incident climbed to 32.
On Thursday, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed that seven suspects, including Ooni’s former queen, are in custody.
Speaking during a live radio interview, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso, revealed that the death toll had risen to 35, with six others in critical condition.
“The investigation is ongoing, and we are committed to uncovering the root cause of this tragedy,” Osifeso said.