A heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday morning at Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, where a stampede during a children’s Christmas party led to the tragic deaths of several children.
The event was organized by Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, headed by Oriyomi Hamzat, in collaboration with Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife. The celebration was intended to surprise 5,000 children with scholarships and gifts.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that chaos erupted when a large crowd of children and parents surged forward to collect food and gifts. In the commotion, many children were trampled, and several others sustained injuries. Some of the injured are currently receiving medical care at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.
Although the exact number of fatalities is yet to be confirmed, sources report that at least seven children lost their lives in the stampede. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning.
In the days leading up to the event, the radio station had heavily promoted the “2024 Children Fun Fair,” generating excitement among families across the city. On Tuesday, Agidigbo FM shared a post on Facebook announcing the event, stating that Queen Naomi would host 5,000 children aged 0–13 under her Women In Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation. The post highlighted that participants would win scholarships and other exciting prizes, and reassured parents of adequate security at the venue.
However, despite these assurances, the crowd became overwhelming. According to some sources, repeated announcements were made urging people to stop coming to the venue due to overcrowding, but many persisted. One X user, Adebanjo, claimed, “It was announced severally on the radio that they should stop coming. People were still hell-bent on going there.”
Another witness, Kemi, noted that lifeless victims of the stampede were transported to the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital.
The tragedy has left a lasting scar on the community, as investigations into the cause and handling of the event continue.
