The former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi, has reportedly landed in the hospital following her arrest in connection with the tragic stampede at her charity event in Ibadan. The charity program, which was intended to be a benevolent gesture, turned catastrophic as overcrowding led to a significant loss of life.
The event, jointly organized by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola and Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent Ibadan-based broadcaster, was initially planned to cater to 5,000 children. However, the number of attendees far exceeded expectations, with over 7,500 people showing up. This massive turnout resulted in chaos, overwhelming the organizers and leading to a devastating stampede.
The overcrowding at the event venue caused severe disruptions, ultimately leading to the death of 35 children and injuries to six others. Witnesses described the scene as harrowing, with cries for help and the panic of the crowd creating a tragic and uncontrollable situation.
In the aftermath of the incident, Olori Naomi was arrested as authorities sought to understand the circumstances that led to the fatal stampede. Reports indicate that during her detention on Friday, Naomi collapsed and had to be rushed to the Police Hospital in Eleyele, Ibadan. Oriyomi Hamzat, who co-organized the event, was also taken to the same hospital for medical care. Both remain under medical observation.
A senior official at the hospital confirmed their admission but declined to provide additional information, citing the sensitive nature of the case. The official stated, “Both of them are currently at the hospital. But I can’t give further details as the police have secured the premises.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over the investigation. The IG’s involvement signals the seriousness of the incident, as authorities work to unravel the sequence of events that led to the stampede and determine accountability.
This development has sparked widespread public outrage, with many demanding justice for the lives lost and those injured. The tragedy has also reignited conversations about crowd management and safety protocols during public events, as well as the responsibility of organizers to ensure proper planning and execution to avoid such calamities in the future.
As investigations continue, the public awaits answers and accountability for the tragic loss of life that occurred during what was meant to be a charitable occasion. Condolences have poured in for the families of the victims, with many urging authorities to implement stricter regulations for events of this nature to prevent future occurrences.
