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Ibadan Stampede: Case of Survival Instincts of Nigerians
Kemi Olaitan writes that the recent Children’s Funfair Carnival tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital which claimed lives of no fewer than 35 children may have its root in the poverty that is ravaging the land
Ibadan, the Oyo State capital was in the news last Wednesday but for the wrong reason as not less than 35 people, predominantly children, lost their lives, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries during a Children’s Funfair Carnival at the Islamic High School, Basorun.
The event, organized by Women in Need of Governance and Support (WINGS), an initiativeby Queen Naomi Silekunola, an ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, was promoted by an Ibadan-based radio station, Agidigbo FM and aimed at benefitting 5,000 children with promises of N5,000 cash gifts and free meals.
However, chaos was to be the order of the day as over 15,000 people stormed the venue before dawn, far exceeding the planned capacity thus leading to the tragic incident when parents, desperate to gain access for their children, caused a stampede at the entrance.
The unfortunate incident sparked various reactions with Governor SeyiMakinde describing the day as a sad day for the state due to the multiple loss of lives and injuries, adding that the state has taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at the venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue.
According to him, “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. This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.
“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured.
“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody. I want to reassure our people that anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable. Please remain calm as the security agencies investigate this unfortunate incident.
“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen.”
In order to douse tension over the number of casualities recorded in the incident, the Oyo State Police Command last Thursday issued a statement disclosing that 35 children were confirmed dead in the tragedy, six others injured, while eight persons were arrested.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP AdewaleOsifeso, in the release tilted, “Re: Ibadan Children Tragedy“, said the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku for further investigation, and revealed the identity of the organisers of the event. He added that among the eight people arrested were the main organiser, OloriSilekunola and the principal of the school, FasasiAbdulahi.
His words: “Sequel to the stampede incident recorded on Wednesday, 18/12/2024 at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event organised by Wings Foundation and media partners, AgidigboFm, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the state that eight persons have since been arrested for their various involvements.
“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs; FasasiAbdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal, Islamic High School, Ibadan); Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs; TanimowoMoruf, ’m’ age 52yrs; AnisolajaOlabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs; Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs; and AbiolaOluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.
“So far, 35 minors have been documented dead, while six others are critically injured and on various medical interventions.
“In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.”
President Bola Tinubu in his reaction, expressed sadness over the tragic incident, extending his condolences to the government and people of Oyo State and, most importantly, to the grieving families who lost their children in the unfortunate event.
Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, BayoOnanuga and titled, “Tinubu Expresses Deep Anguish Over Ibadan FunFair Tragedy, Demands Thorough Investigation”, called on the Oyo State government to review and reinforce safety measures at public events across the state.
“This is a deeply painful moment for the entire nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families enduring this unimaginable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we mourn this tragic occurrence together.
“We must uncover the truth behind this tragedy. It is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions were involved, ensuring a transparent and accountable process,” the President said.
With Nigerians mourning the 35 innocent young children, leaders of tomorrow, who lost their lives in what could have been avoided, one factor that analysts are pushing forward for being responsible for the tragic incident is the poverty in the land. To them it is nothing but ravaging poverty and hunger in the land that could cause many parents to leave their houses before 5 am to receive handouts from a children funfair.
Toeing this line, the Oyo State chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) in a statement by its Secretary, Ayodeji Adigun, lamented that the struggle for survival caused victims to attend the Christmas charity event and struggle for food, maintaining that poverty pushed many of the victims to the venue because they were assured of getting something to cushion the effect of the hardship in the country.
According to him: “All of these unfortunate developments are sad consequences of the excruciating condition of poverty and misery in the midst of plenty under which mass of the Nigerian working people are forced to live across the country.
“Going by this background, it is absolutely clear that it is the struggle for survival that better explains why many parents largely of poor and working-class background were desperate to ensure that their children were able to attend the programme.”
Thus, the lesson to learn from the sad incident is for government at all levels to do more to lift a much greater number of persons from the multidimensional poverty that is ravaging the land.
Indeed, it is important for the Federal Government in particular to take a serious look at its social investment programme so that the majority of Nigerians can, at least, feed themselves.