A tragic stampede at a children’s carnival in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, claimed the lives of at least 30 children and left dozens more injured on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred at a high school venue in the Basorun area when organizers announced plans to distribute cash to 5,000 children, sparking a rush that quickly turned chaotic. As crowds of children attempted to enter the venue, the stampede broke out, leading to a devastating loss of life.
Oyo State’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, attributed the tragedy to a lack of proper planning and crowd management by the event organizers. “The event was poorly coordinated, and this led to the unfortunate deaths of many children,” Oyelade said in a statement.
While the authorities have yet to release a full list of victims, the majority of the casualties are reported to be minors. The injured have been transported to various hospitals across Ibadan, with some in critical condition.
Parents of missing children are being urged to visit local medical facilities where the injured have been admitted, bringing valid identification to assist in locating their children.
The incident has prompted widespread outrage, with many calling for an investigation into the event’s organizers. Local police have launched an inquiry, and authorities have vowed to review safety measures for future public events to ensure such a tragedy does not occur again.
The incident highlights the urgent need for better safety protocols and coordination at public gatherings, particularly those involving large numbers of children.