Ibadan Children’s Carnival Turns Deadly: Multiple Fatalities and Injuries Reported

Tragedy struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a devastating stampede at a children’s carnival resulted in the loss of multiple young lives and left several others injured.

The incident occurred in the early hours of today during a private children’s fun fair event at the Basorun Islamic High School in Ibadan.

Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, confirmed the incident and assured that the government has swiftly deployed a rapid response team to address the situation.

The commissioner said the injured victims have been swiftly transported to various hospitals in Ibadan, where they are currently receiving necessary medical attention.

Oyelade expressed his gratitude to Oyo State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for swiftly mobilizing response teams to provide critical assistance at the scene of the incident.

He assured that the state government will support the victims through this difficult period.

According to the statement, the Oyo State government was not involved in organizing the event, and the Ministry of Health was neither informed nor requested to provide logistical support for the private children’s end-of-the-year funfair.

The statement underscored the crucial need for meticulous planning and coordination when organizing large-scale events, particularly those that involve vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

According to him, a comprehensive report from the Commissioner of Police is pending, which will provide a clearer picture of the total number of victims affected.

Oyelade urged concerned parents to verify the whereabouts of their children by visiting the following hospitals in Ibadan, where the affected children were taken for medical attention: Patnas Hospital Basorun, Western Hospital Basorun, Ringroad State Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, and University College Hospital (UCH).

The statement noted that the state government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary support arranged for the victims.

Reacting to the incident, Gov. Seyi Makinde took to X to express his heartfelt condolences.

He wrote: “Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries. This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State.

“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths. We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue.

“We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured.

“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody.

“I want to reassure our people that anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable.”

The party was allegedly hosted by Queen Naomi Silekunna Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife.