Tragedy struck on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, during a charity event organized by Olori Naomi, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in partnership with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan.
The event, aimed at providing food for the less privileged, took a devastating turn when a stampede occurred, claiming the lives of over 32 children and leaving many others injured.
The event, held at Islamic High School, Basorun, was planned to accommodate 5,000 children but reportedly attracted over 7,500 participants. Chaos ensued as the crowd surged to enter the venue, resulting in a tragic stampede.
Governor Seyi Makinde extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and assured the public that swift actions were being taken to prevent further incidents.
“We have deployed security agents to restore order, medical personnel to treat the injured, and ambulances to the scene. The event has been stopped, and attendees escorted out of the venue,” a statement from the governor read.
Governor Makinde further pledged that all individuals responsible for the tragedy, whether directly or indirectly, would be held accountable.
“I want to reassure our people that this incident will be thoroughly investigated, and those involved will face justice,” he said, urging residents to remain calm as security agencies conduct their investigations.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of proper planning and crowd control in events of this magnitude.
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