The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that 35 minors died during a stampede at a funfair held at the Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan.
The Command has also taken into custody the event organiser, Naomi Silekunola, the 31-year-old ex- queen of the Ooni of Life, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; and seven others in connection with the tragedy.
The tragic incident, which happened on Wednesday during a yuletide funfare, also left several other children in varying degrees of injuries.
It has also drawn a strong condemnation from many Nigerians, including the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, who vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.and ensure that those found complicit in any way would be brought to account.
Governor Makinde commiserated with the bereaved families praying God to comfort them.
Spokesman of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed, Thursday, that the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi; and six others have been arrested and were now cooling their heels in police custody.
Osifeso named the ex-queen as the main sponsor of the event.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements,” Osifeso said.
“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.”
The Command’s spokesman also said that six persons are injured and receiving treatment in a medical facility.
“So far (35) Thirty-Five Minors have been documented Dead while (6) Six others are critically injured and on various Medical Interventions,” the police spokesman further disclosed, adding that the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, for further investigation.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Osifeso further disclosed, has been appointed to lead the investigations.
Osifeso urged Ibadan residents not to panic “as they would witness high level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.”