Tragedy at Christmas Funfair in Nigeria: 35 Children Dead in Crowd Crush
A Christmas celebration turned tragic in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, as a massive crowd surge at a funfair led to the death of 35 children and left six others hospitalized, according to police reports.
Event Promises Draw Overwhelming Crowd
The event, held in the Bashorun district at the Islamic High School, promised attendees cash gifts of 5,000 naira (approximately $3) and free food. The allure of such offerings in a country facing its worst economic crisis in decades drew an estimated crowd of over 10,000 people, with more than 5,000 children reportedly gathering at the venue.
Residents said the crush occurred when the organizers, led by Naomi Silekunola—a prominent figure in the city—arrived to begin the event.
Authorities Take Action
The police confirmed the arrest of eight individuals, including Silekunola, in connection with the tragedy. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the precise sequence of events that led to the deadly crush.
President Bola Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has called for a comprehensive investigation. The Oyo State government announced that victims had been transported to hospitals across Ibadan, urging parents to visit local medical facilities if their children were still unaccounted for.
Heartbreaking Losses at Hospitals
Medical staff reported devastating outcomes. At one hospital, six children were admitted, but only two survived, while four succumbed to their injuries. At another facility, a doctor recounted seeing three deceased children brought in.
Parents Arrived Hours Early
Desperate for relief during Nigeria’s economic hardship, many parents accompanied their children to the funfair as early as 5:00 a.m.—five hours before the event was scheduled to begin. The organizers had pledged to distribute cash and food to thousands of children, a promise that drew an overwhelming crowd.
Recurring Crowd Tragedies in Nigeria
This tragedy adds to a series of deadly crowd surges in Nigeria this year.
March 2024: Two students were killed, and 23 others injured, during a rice distribution event at Nasarawa State University.
Bauchi State: Just days later, seven people died when a philanthropist’s cash handout attracted an uncontrollable crowd.
February 2024: In Lagos, five people lost their lives in a crash as the Nigerian Customs Service auctioned bags of rice at heavily discounted rates.
Addressing a Systemic Issue
The Ibadan tragedy underscores the dire economic conditions pushing thousands of Nigerians to scramble for relief at such events. It also raises urgent questions about crowd management, event planning, and accountability.
Authorities are now faced with the challenge of not only bringing justice to the victims’ families but also implementing measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Refence
Tragedy at Christmas Funfair in Nigeria: 35 Children Dead in Crowd Crush