The Oyo State Police Command has disclosed the arrest of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi; and six others in connection to the death of some children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife was named as the main sponsor of the event.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed sympathy to the families of children who died at the funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
in a statement issued on Thursday, the monarch’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, said Oba Ogunwusi expressed sympathy with the Government of Oyo State and the families of children whose lives were lost in the tragedy.
The monarch also showed solidarity with the ex-queen, saying she genuinely cared for children and organised similar events in Osun State when she was queen.
Ogunwusi also pledged to support all efforts to bring solace and healing to those affected by the deaths.
“We share in the grief and pains that have engulfed the affected families. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this trying time.
“While at the Ile Oodua here as a queen, Miss Naomi Silekuola Ogunseyi demonstrated love and care to the children of Ile-Ife through similar events which she executed passionately to give succour to children of indigent parents every December periods like this.
“The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss. The House of Oduduwa calls for immediate actions to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for rigorous adherence to safety standards and child welfare policies in educational institutions,” the statement read.
The number of children who have died from the stampede has risen to 35 while six others are critically injured, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso.
The event, which was held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, was made available to 5,000 children, but according to investigations by PUNCH Metro, the number that turned up was reportedly over 7,500 .
Osifeso noted that Wings Foundation organised the event in collaboration with Agidigbo FM, an Ibadan-based radio station that acts as the event’s media partner.
According to the police, the other arrested individuals include Genesis Christopher, 24; Tanimowo Moruf, 52; Anisolaja Olabode, 42; Idowu Ibrahim, 35; and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, 25.
“So far, 35 minors have been documented dead while six others are critically injured and on various medical interventions.
“In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations,” the statement read partly.
The police assured residents around the axis of “high-level patrols” and the presence of its operatives “to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.
“The Oyo State Police Command sympathises with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and assures the good people of the state that justice will be served accordingly.”
Multiple eyewitness accounts indicated that the stampede occurred when participants rushed to gain access to the event’s venue organised by Silekunola and a broadcaster with the Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat.
An eyewitness at the scene of the event, who craved anonymity, said in a video, “Oriyomi Hamzat said he wanted 5,000 participants but because we were not organised, that was why the situation got to this. We were not even up to 5,000 participants.”
“Rather than attend to us very well, they wanted to fight us. We just lost one child who has been taken to the University College Hospital,” said another participant (names withheld) who claimed to have lost a child.
