The Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde is irked that Ooni’s ex wife, Queen Naomi, didn’t involve the state security unit while organising her 5,000 children funfair that led to the death of many children and adults
Oyo State Government has disclosed that the organisers of a funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun in Ibadan on Wednesday which led to a stampede did not involve them.
The funfair was organised by Queen Naomi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, through her foundation WINGS.
Commissioner for information and civic orientation Prince Dotun Oyelade made this known in a statement, adding that majority of the victims were children.
“Government has swiftly mobilised a rapid response team following the incident. Victims of the incident have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention,” he said.
The commissioner however said the government was awaiting a detailed report from the police to know the total number of victims involved in the unfortunate incident.
“Neither was the state Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private funfair,” Oyelade said.
He stated further that the government would do all in its power to stand by victims of the incident “through this trying period.”
The commissioner urged parents who had become apprehensive about their children’s whereabouts to check some medical facilities in Ibadan where victims of the stampede were taken.
“The medical centres are Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ring Road State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital; and University College Hospital (UCH),” the commissioner said.
He added that while the state government extended its deepest sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy.
How Tragedy Occurred
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.
At Patnas Specialist Hospital, four children were confirmed dead on arrival, while one survivor remained in critical condition as of Wednesday morning. The chaotic scene also disrupted traffic along the Basorun axis, with thousands of attendees, mainly women and children, seen walking long distances. A distraught mother was spotted wailing after losing her 7-year-old son in the tragedy