The Oyo State Police Command has officially confirmed a tragic stampede that occurred at a charity event organized by ex-queen, Olori Naomi Silekunola, which led to the loss of 35 lives and left six others critically injured. The overcrowding at the event, which took place at the Islamic High School, Ibadan, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, has drawn widespread condemnation and concern.
The charity event was reportedly planned to accommodate 5,000 children. However, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, revealed in a statement on Thursday that the number of attendees exceeded 7,500, far surpassing the venue's capacity and resulting in chaos. The overcrowding led to a stampede as attendees struggled for space, which ultimately resulted in the tragic fatalities.
Following the incident, the police arrested several individuals, including the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the Principal of Islamic High School, Fasasi Abdulahi, and six others connected to the organization and planning of the event. Authorities have stated that a full investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to the stampede and to hold accountable those found culpable for negligence or other failings.
The police have assured the public that justice will be served. Adewale Osifeso reiterated the force's commitment to ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future, stating that their ongoing investigation would identify lapses in planning, execution, and crowd control at the event.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief and reactions across the state and beyond, with many Nigerians calling for stricter enforcement of public safety measures at large gatherings. Critics have pointed to the need for better crowd management strategies and strict adherence to capacity regulations to avoid similar disasters in the future.
In response to the tragedy, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has promised to ensure accountability for the incident. In a public statement, the Governor expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged government support for those affected. He also emphasized the state’s commitment to improving public safety protocols to prevent such occurrences from happening again.
The stampede at Olori Naomi’s charity event has become a somber reminder of the risks associated with large gatherings and has ignited discussions about the responsibilities of event organizers, venue managers, and public safety agencies in ensuring the safety of attendees.