By Ola Akinwunmi
A devastating stampede at a youth gathering in Ibadan, Nigeria, has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, according to local officials. The incident occurred on Wednesday at an Islamic high school, where up to 5,000 young people and children had gathered for the event.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the tragedy, stating that security forces had been deployed to the scene to restore order and evacuate attendees. Makinde expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, saying, “This is a very sad day… We sympathize with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.”
Video footage from the scene showed a large crowd of mostly children, with some being carried away to local hospitals. The primary organizers of the event have been taken into custody, and Governor Makinde vowed to hold anyone involved in the disaster accountable.
The event, organized by the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, had promised participants exciting prizes, including scholarships and gifts. Nigeria’s national emergency services have deployed a team to provide assistance to the victims.
