A horrific stampede at a holiday fair in southwestern Nigeria has left several children dead and many others injured. The chaos unfolded Wednesday afternoon at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Oyo State, located near Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, Lagos.
Local authorities responded quickly, with security forces arriving at the scene to secure the area and arresting the event organizers, according to state Governor Seyi Makinde.
“A tragic incident occurred today at Islamic High School Basorun, where a family event led to an overwhelming crowd surge,” Makinde said in a statement. “The stampede has resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. It is with great sadness that we report this loss.”
The governor expressed his deep condolences, adding, “Our hearts go out to the parents who have lost their children, a joy turned to grief in an instant.”
As emergency responders rushed to assist the victims, Nigeria’s national emergency services deployed teams to the scene, with local hospitals treating the injured. Parents frantically searched for their children, checking with the authorities for missing persons.
Eyewitnesses reported a scene of pandemonium, with video footage showing children being carried away from a large crowd in a field. “It was like a wave of people, one moment everyone was laughing, and the next, we were running for our lives,” said one witness who was at the event but wished to remain anonymous.
The fair was organized by the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation (WINGS), a group that has previously hosted similar events. According to Oyo-based Agidigbo FM, the foundation had planned to host up to 5,000 children this year, promising enticing prizes such as scholarships and gifts. Last year’s event had also been well-received, with families excited about this year’s festivities.
However, the excitement turned to tragedy as the crowd gathered. A local resident, who witnessed the event unfold, described the atmosphere: “It was meant to be a celebration, but suddenly it turned into a nightmare. No one could see what was happening, it was just chaos.”
Governor Makinde has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the stampede. “Those responsible for the event, and anyone involved in this disaster, will be held accountable,” he emphasized, vowing to bring justice to the victims and their families.
The tragic incident highlights the risks involved in large public gatherings, with questions now swirling about the safety measures in place and whether the event organizers took sufficient precautions for crowd control.
As the community grieves, many are left to reflect on the heartache caused by a day that was meant to bring joy to children and families.
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