It was a tragic Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, as multiple people, mostly children, were feared killed following a stampede during a children’s carnival held at Basorun Islamic High School.
Already, Governor Seyi Makinde, in a statement posted on his X handle, condemned the stampede and said that “investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody.”
The governor stressed: “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.”
“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.
Also, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, described the stampede as unfortunate.
He clarified that “the state government was not involved in any of the planning, neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private children’s end of the year funfair.”
The commissioner stressed that other victims of the stampede had been swiftly moved to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention and that the state government will do all in its power to stand by victims of the incident through this trying period.
Emphasising the importance of proper coordination in organising events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders, Oyelade said, “the State Government was not involved in any of the planning, neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private children’s end of the year funfair.”
He advised parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check Patnas Hospital, Basorun, Western Hospital, Basorun, Ringroad State Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, and University College Hospital (UCH) where children affected were taken for proper medical attention with valid means of identification.
Oyo state Police command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adewale Osifeso. while reacting to the incident said “Investigation is in progress. Updates would be provided accordingly.”