A tragic stampede at a holiday funfair in Basorun, Oyo State, Nigeria, claimed the lives of several children on Wednesday, leaving the community in mourning.
The incident occurred at the Islamic High School, where families had gathered for the event near the economic hub of Lagos.
Governor Seyi Makinde expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a heartbreaking day for the state. “Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries,” Makinde said in a statement. “We sympathize with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.”
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Security forces swiftly responded to the scene, arresting the event organizers for their role in the disaster. The Oyo State government has pledged to hold all responsible parties accountable, with an investigation already underway.
The national emergency services also deployed teams to provide assistance. Injured children were rushed to nearby hospitals, where desperate parents were asked to check for their missing loved ones.
Video footage circulating online showed a chaotic scene, with onlookers—mostly children—watching as others were carried away from an open field.
The event was organized by the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, a group known for hosting similar programs. Reports from Agidigbo FM radio station revealed that the organizers were expecting up to 5,000 attendees this year, with promises of prizes, scholarships, and other gifts for children.
Despite their intentions to spread joy during the holiday season, the event took a tragic turn, raising concerns about planning and crowd management at large gatherings.
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Governor Makinde assured the public that an in-depth investigation would uncover the causes of the stampede. “Anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable,” he stated firmly.
As Oyo State mourns this devastating loss, questions remain about what went wrong and how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
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