Oyo State Government has described as monumental tragedy the loss of lives at a children’s carnival held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday, December 18.
Thenewsbearer learnt that many, mostly children, died in a stampede at the private children’s funfair held at Basorun Islamic High School in the city, while some others injured.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said that the state government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team following the breaking of the incident.
The commissioner disclosed that victims were swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for prompt medical attention.
Appreciating the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately activating all available response teams to provide assistance at the scene of the incident, Prince Oyelade said that the Oyo government would do all in its power to stand by victims of the fateful incident through this trying period.
He made it known that the state government was not involved in any of the planning, neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private children’s end-of-the-year funfair.
It emphasized the importance of proper coordination when organizing events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.
The Commissioner indicated that a detailed report is being awaited from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this incident.
Prince Oyelade said that parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children are urged to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where children affected were taken for proper medical attention, with valid means of identification:
The hospitals include:
– Patnas Hospital, Basorun
– Western Hospital, Basorun
– State Hospital, Adeoyo, Ring Road
– Molly Specialist Hospital
– University College Hospital (UCH)
The statement further said that the Oyo State government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary supports arranged for the victims.
