Ibadan funfair: Ooni’s ex-wife, others face probe as 32 children feared killed

The Oyo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged deaths of 32 children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.

According to eyewitness accounts gathered by PUNCH Metro, the tragic incident occurred as participants rushed to gain entry to the event, which was reportedly organized by Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, an Ibadan-based broadcaster.

Investigations further revealed that the stampede happened as attendees attempted to force their way through the main gate of the venue. The event, which was planned for 5,000 children, allegedly saw a turnout of over 7,500.

In a video recounting the incident, an eyewitness who chose to remain anonymous stated that the organizers had prepared for 5,000 participants. However, chaos erupted as the venue became overcrowded, leading to a stampede and multiple casualties.

She said, “Oriyomi Hamzat said he wanted 5,000 participants but because we were not organised, that was why the situation got to this. We were not even up to 5,000 participants.”

Another participant claimed he lost a child during the incident.

“Rather than attend to us very well, they wanted to fight us. We just lost one child who has been taken to the University College Hospital,” he said.

The video captured chaotic scenes as some children were hurriedly evacuated from the venue, while a distraught woman mourned the loss of her child following the stampede.

In response to the tragic incident, the management of Agidigbo FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, expressed condolences to the victims in a statement signed by its Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab.

However, Abdulwahab clarified that the radio station was only a media partner for the event and not its organizer. He emphasized that the station’s management took immediate steps to raise awareness and manage the situation when it became apparent that the venue was overcrowded.

Abdulwahab stated, “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organised by the WINGS Foundation, with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.

“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds is that Agidigbo FM is the organiser of the children’s funfair. However, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organiser of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.

“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5am at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitise the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time, that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.

“This is not the time to spread misinformation. The management of Agidigbo FM implores the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathises with the family of those who lost their lives.”

When contacted via a text message for a reaction, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident, noting that an investigation had commenced.

“Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly, please,” Osifeso said.

Multiple sources told our correspondents that some of the children, including their parents, were said to have kept vigil at the venue of the event.

One of our correspondents observed that an uncontrollable crowd caused gridlock on the Basorun-Idi Ape Road.

An Administrative Officer of Patnas Hospital, Basorun, where some of the victims were admitted, Olufeyemi Tolulope, said, “The affected children were brought in some minutes past 8am. Six children were brought into the hospital out of which five died while the other one is recuperating.

“We were told that the deceased fainted at the venue of the event. We were able to rescue one while the remaining five died. The surviving child has been discharged and released to her parents.

“One of the parents of the deceased, who was sighted at the hospital premises wailing, said, “I did not bargain for what happened to me. We slept together at home yesterday (Tuesday) not knowing that it would be the last time. My daughter is not dead. Please doctor wake her up.”

Several parents, who preferred to remain anonymous, have appealed to the government to intervene and ensure the release of their children’s corpses from various hospitals.

According to a statement by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the victims were taken to the following hospitals: Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ring Road State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital; and the University College Hospital (UCH).

Attempts by a correspondent to access Molly Hospital in Idi-Ape and Western Hospital in Basorun were unsuccessful, as security guards at both facilities denied entry, claiming no victims were admitted there. However, grieving parents were seen at UCH, mourning the loss of their children.

At UCH, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmi Adetuyibi, confirmed that five victims were brought in dead. She did not provide details on the victims’ ages or genders but clarified that none of the incident’s victims were admitted at the facility at the time of reporting.

Similarly, at Molly Hospital, an eyewitness stated that several victims brought in by rescue workers had already passed away. A staff member of the hospital, speaking anonymously, also confirmed that no victims were admitted as of 7 PM on Wednesday.

Efforts to reach the event organizer, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, proved futile. Her phone line was unavailable, and she did not respond to a text message as of the time this report was filed.