A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, during a charity event organized by Olori Naomi, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in partnership with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan. The event, aimed at feeding less privileged children, turned into a devastating stampede, claiming the lives of over 32 children and leaving many others severely injured.
The event, which took place at the Islamic High School in Basorun, was planned to accommodate 5,000 children. However, the turnout significantly exceeded expectations, with reports suggesting over 7,500 attendees flocked to the venue. The chaos began as the overwhelming crowd tried to gain access to the school premises, leading to the deadly stampede.
Governor Seyi Makinde expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. He also assured the public that immediate measures had been put in place to mitigate further harm. In his statement, the governor emphasized the deployment of security personnel to restore order, as well as medical professionals and ambulances to provide emergency treatment to the injured.
“We deeply mourn the loss of innocent lives and are committed to preventing such tragedies in the future. The event has been halted, and participants are being escorted out of the venue. Security forces are on the ground to ensure safety and order,” the governor’s statement read.
Governor Makinde also stressed that all individuals or groups responsible for the incident, whether through negligence or direct actions, would be held accountable. He assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to uncover the causes of the tragedy and ensure justice for the victims.
“This incident will be fully investigated, and those found culpable will face the consequences of their actions. I urge everyone to remain calm while security agencies diligently carry out their work,” the governor added.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the critical need for comprehensive planning and effective crowd control measures when organizing events of this magnitude. Authorities have pledged to learn from this tragedy to prevent future occurrences.
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