The Oyo State government has mourned the tragic loss of lives at a children funfair carnival said to have been organised by the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola, in Ibadan, on Wednesday.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated in a statement that a stampede occurred early today at the private children funfair held at Basorun Islamic High School, Ibadan.
The stampede lead to loss of lives, mostly children (the numbers not yet ascertained), with some others injured in the early hours of today.
Oyelade stated that the government was not involved in any of the planning, neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private end-of-the-year children funfair.
According to the statement, the state government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team after the incident broke out.
The commissioner noted that the victims have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention.
Prince Oyelade assured that the government will do all in its power to stand by victims of the fateful incident through the trying period.
He appreciated the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately activating all available response teams to provide assistance at the scene of the incident.
Oyelade emphasised the importance of proper coordination when organising events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.
He stated that they are currently awaiting a detailed report from the state Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in the unfortunate incident.
The commissioner urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check some medical facilities where the affected children were taken for proper medical attention with valid means of identification.
The medical facilities included Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ring Road State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital and University College Hospital (UCH), all Ibadan.
The Oyo State government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy.
It urged the public to remain calm and cooperative, noting that relevant pieces of information are being gathered and necessary supports arranged for the victims.
Meanwhile, a report has it that three children reportedly died and others injured after the stampede at the Christmas children funfair by Queen Naomi Silekunola, former wife of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The programme was organised by her foundation, Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) but came to an abrupt end because of the sad incident.
There were conflicting reports about the number of casualties but a report by the BBC had it that a policeman confirmed that, at least, three children were dead.
The affected children were rushed to the University of Ibadan College Hospital (UCH) where some of them were confirmed dead.
An Ibadan resident disclosed that news of the 2024 children funfair carnival spread after Queen Naomi Silekunola appeared on a radio programme hosted by Hamzat Oriyomi on Tuesday.
Many people from Ibadan and nearby towns started converging on the Islamic High School, Basorun venue of the event after the radio show and many of them slept there overnight.
Early reports indicated that people started trampling over themselves shortly after the commencement of the programme.
