The estranged wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Naomi Silekunola, has been arrested following a deadly stampede at a children’s carnival she organised in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, was meant to bring joy and fun to children during the festive season. Tragically, the day ended in disaster.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, the stampede led to the deaths of three children, with several others injured. The event, organized by Silekunola’s foundation, Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS), was abruptly cut short by the chaos.
Police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso confirmed the incident, stating, “Eight persons have since been arrested for their involvement in the event.” These arrests include Naomi Silekunola, aged 31, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the Islamic High School, where the carnival was held.
The police statement added, “Among the detained are Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisolaja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, whose ages range from 25 to 52 years.”
The tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday, during what was meant to be a festive event. Reports indicate that panic set in among the children when the crowd became unmanageable, resulting in a stampede.
The death toll from the stampede is now confirmed to be 35 minors, with six other children reported to be in critical condition. Authorities have noted that medical teams are doing their best to treat the injured children.
A police statement from Osifeso revealed the severity of the incident, saying, “So far, 35 minors have been documented dead while 6 others are critically injured, receiving various medical interventions.”
The community is in shock as news of the tragedy spreads. Many had been looking forward to the carnival, hoping for a moment of joy during the Christmas holidays. The sudden turn of events has left many questioning how such a tragedy could have happened.
One eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, stating, “It was like everyone was running in all directions, and children were falling over each other. We couldn’t understand what was going on.” The carnival, which was intended to be a fun-filled event, quickly turned into a nightmare.
The Oyo State Police Command is currently investigating the circumstances that led to the stampede. Authorities are looking into the safety measures, or lack thereof, in place for the event. They are also questioning the organizers and other individuals involved in the planning and execution of the carnival.
Public reactions have ranged from disbelief to anger. A local resident said, “This is a huge tragedy. Children are our future, and to lose so many in such a way is heartbreaking. We need to know what went wrong and why it was allowed to happen.”
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about event safety, particularly for large public gatherings involving children. Many are calling for stricter regulations and oversight of such events to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The arrest of Naomi Silekunola, a public figure who has been in the news for her association with the Ooni, has only added more drama to the story. As the estranged wife of the Ooni, she was already a figure of interest to the media, and now her involvement in such a tragic event has made headlines across the country.
The arrest of the other individuals linked to the event has also raised questions about accountability. Why were so many people allowed to be in such a crowded space without proper safety precautions? What role did the organisers and school officials play in the tragedy?
As investigations continue, the families of the victims are left to grieve their loved ones. The emotional toll of the tragedy is immense, and the community in Ibadan is reeling from the loss.
“This is a devastating tragedy, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost their children,” said a spokesperson for the state government. “We will ensure that justice is served, and those responsible are held accountable.”
