Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually killed 35 kids and seriously injured six others, police stated on Thursday.

The injured children were getting medical attention following the event, which occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

"8 individuals have because been jailed for their various participations", police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the event at the High School, which was organised by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration "revealed extensive sadness over the terrible occurrence".

He offered his "wholehearted acknowledgements" to residents, state authorities and the "grieving families who have lost their cherished children".

He urged the "Oyo State federal government to take every required procedure to prevent such a disaster from repeating", the statement by the presidency added.

"Among the vital actions are a thorough evaluation of all public events' precaution, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular security audits of event locations," Tinubu added.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has actually seen numerous fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands collected for free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four women who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to help spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to acquire the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria faced its worst recession in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had actually shared his acknowledgements for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

"Our hearts stay with the families and liked ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde said.

"We sympathise with the parents whose delight has actually all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths," he included.