A tragic incident unfolded at a children’s funfair in Ibadan on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, resulting in the deaths of 35 children. The event, organized by Naomi Silekunola, former queen of the Ooni of Ife, turned into a disaster as an overcrowded crowd led to a deadly stampede at the Islamic High School in Basorun.
The funfair was initially planned for 5,000 children, but over 7,500 people attended, causing chaos at the gates. As people rushed to enter, many were trampled, and 35 children lost their lives, with six others critically injured.
The Oyo State Police quickly detained Naomi Silekunola and other organizers, including the school’s principal, Fasasi Abdulahi. The investigation has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department. Authorities are working to determine what went wrong and how to prevent such a tragedy in the future.
Parents who survived the stampede shared their heartbreaking experiences. Some arrived at the event as early as 5:30 am, only to find themselves in a dangerous situation when the crowd became uncontrollable. One mother described how she struggled to free her child from the crowd, fearing for their lives. Many of the children who survived are receiving medical care, and families are still mourning their loss.
In response to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu expressed his sadness and ordered a thorough investigation. He emphasized that safety regulations at public events need to be enforced more strictly to ensure that such an incident never happens again. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also offered her condolences to the families affected and prayed for the recovery of the injured children.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also shared his sympathy and called for more stringent safety measures at children’s events across Nigeria. Despite the tragedy, the Ooni’s palace acknowledged Naomi Silekunola’s past charitable work for children and urged future events to prioritize safety.
This heartbreaking event highlights the need for better planning and safety protocols for public gatherings, especially those involving children. As investigations continue, many are hoping that lessons will be learned, and necessary changes will be made to prevent future tragedies.
