Chaos at Ibadan Funfair: 32 Children Lost in Tragic Stampede

 

The Oyo State Police are currently investigating a tragic incident that took place at a funfair in Ibadan on Wednesday, where 32 children reportedly lost their lives in a stampede. The event, which was said to be organized by Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, quickly turned into a disaster when the crowd got out of control.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene when participants rushed to the venue, which was meant to accommodate around 5,000 children but drew more than 7,500. The stampede occurred as people tried to break through the main gate, leading to the heartbreaking loss of young lives.

One person, who shared a video of the incident, explained that the situation became a mess because there were too many people, and the organizers didn’t have enough control over the crowd. The chaos led to panic, and sadly, several children were caught in the stampede. One participant claimed that they lost their own child in the tragedy.

A woman in the video was seen crying out in pain after losing her child, while others frantically tried to get help. The scene was heart-wrenching, with children being rushed away from the venue, some of them seriously injured.

The Agidigbo FM management, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, quickly distanced itself from organizing the event, clarifying that they were simply a media partner, not the event organizer. In a statement, they expressed their deep sorrow over the incident and clarified that while they had tried to warn people about the overcrowding by spreading announcements, the situation escalated too quickly.

“We sincerely sympathize with the families affected and implore everyone to stop spreading misinformation,” said Olayinka Abdulwahab, Agidigbo FM’s Director of Programs. “Our priority is to ensure that those in the hospitals recover as soon as possible and to support the families who are grieving.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident and have assured the public that they will provide updates as the investigation progresses.

Some of the children who were caught in the stampede were rushed to various hospitals, including Patnas Hospital, where six children were brought in—tragically, five of them died, and one survived. At the University College Hospital (UCH), five victims were confirmed dead upon arrival, though the hospital has not provided details about their ages or other specifics.

The tragedy has left the community in shock, and parents are still reeling from the loss. Many are calling on the government and hospital managements to support them in recovering their children’s bodies for proper burial.

The cause of the stampede and who will ultimately be held responsible remains under investigation, but one thing is certain: this tragic event has deeply affected the entire Ibadan community.