Tragedy struck on Wednesday morning as a stampede at a school fair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others seriously injured. The incident occurred at Basorun Islamic High School during an event organized by Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

Adewale Osifeso, spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed the arrest of eight individuals connected to the incident, including the primary sponsor of the event. “The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has launched a probe to ascertain the circumstances leading to this unfortunate occurrence,” Osifeso stated.

The event, intended to bring pre-Christmas cheer amidst economic hardship, turned deadly after thousands gathered, lured by the promise of food parcels for the first 5,000 attendees. Families reportedly traveled long distances, with some arriving before dawn to secure their spot.

Lanre Kadiri, zonal coordinator of Nigeria's Emergency Management Agency, revealed that the venue had already reached capacity by 6:30 a.m. “Some people even slept at the school gate the night before to ensure they wouldn’t miss out,” Kadiri added.

The school’s football field, where the event was held, now stands as a grim reminder of the tragedy. Abandoned sandals, torn books, and broken desks are scattered across the site, painting a poignant picture of the chaos that unfolded.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State expressed his condolences via X (formerly Twitter), pledging support for the affected families and a thorough investigation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for improved crowd management and safety measures at public events to avert such preventable disasters.