Stampede at Christmas Event in Ibadan Claims Lives of Over 20 Children
A Christmas celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State, turned tragic as a stampede claimed the lives of over 20 children.
The event, organized by a radio station owned by prominent broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, attracted an overwhelming crowd with the promise of free gifts, leading to chaos and a deadly rush.
Eyewitnesses reported that children were trampled in the frenzy. Many of the victims were rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where some were pronounced dead on arrival, while others are receiving treatment.
The incident sparked widespread outrage on social media. Users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed their grief and frustration. One user lamented, “A lot of people have lost their children’s lives because of gifts… UCH is full of dead bodies.” Another cautioned parents against attending events organized by the station, citing reports of multiple fatalities.
Critics also highlighted issues with poor event planning and inadequate crowd control. “Poverty is real, but the organizers should have anticipated this and done better,” one commenter stated. Others described the tragedy as a preventable disaster, emphasizing how an event meant to spread joy instead caused heartbreak for many families.
Sources at UCH confirmed that some of the children arrived at the hospital already deceased. However, the hospital’s management has not yet issued an official statement.
What was meant to be a festive occasion has become a grim reminder of the dangers of inadequate preparation and the harsh realities of economic hardship.
(Politics Nigeria)
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