The world’s eyes were on the Nigerian city of Ibadan, where a Christmas party turned into a scene of tragedy. Thirty-five children lost their lives and six others were hospitalized following a stampede at a popular funfair. More than 5,000 children attended the event, lured by the promise of cash and food.
The massive crowd gathered for the occasion took a tragic turn when organizers arrived at the scene. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and despair as the children struggled for their lives. Police quickly arrested eight people, including Naomi Silekunola, the main organizer of the event. President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called for a thorough investigation.
In the face of this tragedy, authorities have urged parents to visit hospitals to check on their children, as many deaths have been reported by medical personnel.
This disaster once again raises questions about the deepening economic crisis in Nigeria, which has led to several deadly mob attacks over the past year. Similar incidents to those in Ibadan have occurred in Nasarawa, Bauchi and Lagos states, resulting in multiple casualties.
This tragedy is a stark reminder that the safety and well-being of children must be a top priority in all public events. As Nigeria mourns its young citizens who have been lost, it is imperative that steps are taken to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again in the future.