A tragic stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan has left an unconfirmed number of people, mostly children, dead.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Witnesses and reports say the stampede happened during the carnival, which was organized to cater to about 5,000 attendees.
The event, which was promoted widely on social media, had been advertised as a funfair for children, with activities meant to bring joy to local families.
Agidigbo FM, a popular radio station in Oyo, had been involved in the event, but not as an organizer, according to the station’s management.
Olayinka Abdulwahab, the director of programs at Agidigbo FM, said in a statement that the radio station was only tasked with promoting the event.
“The management of Agidigbo FM wishes to inform the general public that we are not the organisers of the event,” Abdulwahab clarified.
“Agidigbo FM was only engaged as one of the media outfits used to promote the event,” he added.
Reports circulating after the tragedy linked Agidigbo FM to the event, but Abdulwahab was quick to dispel those claims.
The event had been organised by the WINGS Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on supporting women and children.
“The organisers of the event, WINGS Foundation, deployed security personnel, medical officials, and other relevant agencies to ensure the safety of the attendees,” Abdulwahab said.
Despite these efforts, by 5 a.m. on the day of the event, Agidigbo FM became aware of the large crowd gathering at the venue.
The station responded quickly, using jingles and public service announcements to urge people to stop coming to the funfair.
“We made every effort to inform the public that the event was getting overcrowded and that it was no longer safe to attend,” Abdulwahab explained.
In the midst of the tragedy, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State confirmed that those behind the event were being questioned.
However, he did not provide details about the identities of the event organizers.
The deadly stampede has shocked the city of Ibadan and sparked widespread discussions on social media.
Oyo State authorities have promised a full investigation into the incident.
While Agidigbo FM was not the organiser, the station has expressed its sorrow over the lives lost.
The radio station has also called on the public to avoid spreading false information.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones,” said the Agidigbo FM statement.
“We urge the public to stop the spread of fake news and to contact us for any updates on the situation,” the statement continued.
The WINGS Foundation, founded by Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had been promoting the funfair across social media.
Silekunola, who is often referred to as a prophetess, has been associated with WINGS Foundation for years, and the organization has hosted similar events in the past.
The flier for the event, shared on Instagram and other platforms, featured Silekunola’s image prominently.
The funfair, held annually, was billed as a celebration for underprivileged children.
In a post shared on Instagram, Silekunola described the event as “a commitment to kids, mostly the underprivileged.”
“We have shared our love from town to town, and this year is not going to be an exception,” she wrote.
She also posted a video announcing the funfair, stating that it would cater to 5,000 children.
“We are targeting 5,000 children for the funfair, and once the limit is reached, we will not be able to accommodate more,” Silekunola said in the video.
Despite her public promotion, it is unclear whether she was directly involved in the organization of the event, or if her role was more symbolic.
In a live video she made five days before the event, Silekunola clarified that the WINGS Foundation was not a religious organization.
“It is interdenominational, and we support all women, whether Christian, Muslim, or traditional worshipper,” she explained.
She also stated that the foundation aimed to support vulnerable women, with the children’s funfair being one of their key initiatives.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about crowd control and safety at large public events.
It is also a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise when events become overcrowded, and organizers fail to implement proper safety measures.
Witnesses have described the chaotic scenes at the funfair, with people pushing and shoving as they tried to enter the venue.
Some children were reportedly trampled, while others were injured in the rush.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the large crowd, and the lack of proper crowd management led to the tragic outcome.
The incident has sent shockwaves across Ibadan, with many questioning the preparedness of the organisers and the authorities.
Local officials have promised to review safety protocols for future public events to prevent similar tragedies.
Meanwhile, Agidigbo FM has continued to express its condolences to the affected families.
“We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and everyone affected by this tragedy,” the station concluded.
