Several children have died during a stampede on Wednesday at a holiday funfair in southwestern Nigeria, authorities said. The incident happened at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Oyo State, near the economic hub of Lagos. Security forces attended the scene and arrested the event organizers, state governor Seyi Makinde said in a statement. The unofficial report claimed at least 30 children were killed in the stampede.
“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries. This is a very sad day," Makinde said.
“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.
Check for missing person continues
Nigeria's national emergency services said it has deployed a team to help provide assistance to the victims. Children injured at the venue were taken to local hospitals where parents were asked to check for missing persons. Video footage that appeared to be from the scene showed a large crowd of mostly children looking on as some children were being carried away from an open field.
Local media identified the event organizers as the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, which held a similar event for children last year.
The group was preparing to host up to 5,000 young people at this year's event, the Oyo-based Agidigbo FM radio station reported on Tuesday, citing the organizers who had featured on its program. Children “will win exciting prizes like scholarships and other bountiful gifts,” they said.
An investigation has been opened into the causes of the stampede, Makinde said, adding “Anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable.”
Earlier this month, armed men kidnapped dozens of people in northwestern Nigeria, residents and the police told the news agency The Associated Press on Tuesday, in the latest mass abduction in the region. The gunmen abducted at least 50 people, including several women and children, in the Maradun area of the state of Zamfara over the weekend, residents said. Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara police, confirmed that the kidnapping took place but did not provide more details.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, which locals have blamed on bandit groups known for mass killings and kidnappings for ransom in the conflict-battered northern region, most of them former herders in conflict with settled communities.
Also Read: Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap at least 50 people including women, children in latest mass abduction spree
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