In the wake of a tragic stampede at a children’s carnival in Ibadan, the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi, has been detained by the police. The incident, which occurred during a children’s event organized by Naomi Silekunola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, left many children dead and dozens more injured.
The stampede took place on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School, where the carnival was being held. Witnesses reported chaos and panic as large crowds gathered at the event, which spiraled out of control, leading to the deadly incident.
Following the tragedy, the Oyo State Police Command swiftly took action, detaining Mr. Fasasi for questioning. According to sources close to the investigation, the principal was invited to the police station around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday and was detained upon arrival. A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the news, stating that Fasasi has been held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Iyaganku, Ibadan.
“They invited the principal, and he honored the invitation,” the relative explained. “Since then, he has not been released. He is still in police custody.”
As authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the stampede, the police are also questioning other individuals connected to the event. Naomi Silekunola, the event’s organizer, and Oriyomi Hamzat, a popular radio owner in Ibadan, have both been invited for questioning. However, as of the time of this report, neither of them had appeared before the police.
“The investigation is ongoing,” said Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso. “We are still waiting for some individuals to come in for questioning. Members of the public will be briefed as new information emerges.”
The deadly stampede has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about crowd control and safety measures at public events. Parents and residents of Ibadan have expressed outrage over the lack of proper organization at the carnival, questioning how such a tragedy could occur during what was meant to be a festive occasion for children.
One local resident, who witnessed the event, described the scene as one of utter chaos. “There was no clear direction, no proper crowd management. People were running in all directions. It was so crowded, and the panic just made everything worse. We saw people trampled underfoot as the crowd pushed forward.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the Oyo State government has promised to review safety protocols for future public events. Governor Seyi Makinde expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised that justice would be served.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragedy,” said Governor Makinde in a statement. “We will ensure that those responsible for this disaster are held accountable. Our thoughts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy.”
The stampede is the latest in a series of unfortunate events at public gatherings in Nigeria, where poor organization and lack of safety measures often lead to fatal incidents. Experts have long called for stricter regulations and better planning for public events to prevent such disasters.