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 took place

A stampede at a school funfair in the city of Ibadan has killed 35 kids and seriously hurt 6 others, authorities said on Thursday.

The injured children were receiving medical attention following the event, which took location on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

"8 persons have actually because been jailed for their different involvements", police representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those detained was the primary sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged 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 "expressed profound unhappiness over the terrible occurrence".

He used his "wholehearted condolences" to locals, state authorities and the "mourning households who have lost their precious children".

He urged the "Oyo State government to take every essential step to prevent such a catastrophe from returning", the statement by the presidency added.

"Among the vital actions are an extensive review of all public occasions' precaution, rigorous enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular safety audits of occasion venues," Tinubu added.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has actually seen a number of lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst economic crisis in a generation.

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

"Our hearts remain with the families and liked ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace," Makinde said.

"We sympathise with the parents whose pleasure has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths," he added.