Prophetess Naomi, former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi didn’t envisage that her efforts to make Christmas a memorable one for thousands of children in Ibadan, would turn tragic with death of many children
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed that the organisers of the children’s funfair, which led to the untimely death of 35 children in a stampede on December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School in Ibadan, will face trial.
The governor made this known during the annual interfaith service to herald the year 2025, held at the car park of the Governor’s Office Secretariat.
“Quite a number of people reached out to me, saying that this happened in Anambra and FCT and nobody went to jail. Why is it that in Oyo State, some people will go to jail? Oyo is not Anambra, and no matter how highly placed, justice must be done.
“The judiciary is here, after all; it’s in their court. If they think they can grant bail pending the trial, I don’t have anything against it, but they must go on trial.
“Even if the entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, Oyo State will dare to be different,” he concluded.
Currently, Queen Naomi and Mr Oriyomi Hamzat are at the Agodi correctional facility in Ibadan after a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan in December 2024 ordered that she and others should be remanded over the deadly stampede which occurred on December 18 at a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The funfair was organised by Queen Naomi’s foundation, Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) in partnership with Agidigbo FM.
The event was promoted by an Ibadan-based radio station, Agidigbo FM. It was aimed at benefitting 5,000 children with promises of N5,000 cash gifts and free meals.
Investigations showed that the victims were stampeded to death while trying to break through the main gate of the school.
It was further gathered that provision was made for 5,000 children but the number that turned up for the event was reportedly over 7, 500.
Narrating the scenario in a video, an eyewitness at the scene of the incident, who did not mention her name, noted that the organisers had invited 5,000 participants for the funfair.
However, chaos ensued as over 15,000 people stormed the venue before dawn, far exceeding the planned capacity.
The incident occurred when parents, desperate to gain access for their children, caused a stampede at the entrance.
Sources revealed that the situation spiraled out of control around 6 a.m. when the organizers announced that the 5,000-attendee limit had been reached. In response, the agitated crowd surged forward, leading to a deadly stampede that left many children dead on the spot and others injured.
Victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Patnas Specialist Hospital, Best Western Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, Ringroad State Hospital, and the University College Hospital (UCH), all in Ibadan.
According to the police, 35 minors died in the stampede while six others were critically injured.
The magistrate ordered that Queen Naomi Silekunola; the founder and chief executive officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi, should be remanded pending legal advice from the Oyo State director of public prosecutions.
The defendants are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder and negligent acts causing harm.