Nigeria Police have arrested eight people in connection with a stampede at a school funfair in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria, that killed 35 children and seriously injured six others.
The stampede occurred on Wednesday at the Islamic High School in Ibadan, Oyo State Police Command said.
Grow your business with us
Thousands of people had gathered at the school for an event organised for local families.
Police officials said they believed the surge began after the organizers—the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio—started distributing food and gifts.
According to local radio, the event programme said children would “win exciting prizes like scholarships and other bountiful gifts.”
The injured children were receiving medical attention.
Eight people have been arrested, including the main sponsor of the event, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.
The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso added.
Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, expressed his condolences. “Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” he wrote on X.
President Bola Tinubu expressed his “profound sadness over the tragic incident” in a statement on Thursday.
He urged the Oyo State government to take necessary measures to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring, calling for a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues.”