No fewer than 20 children have reportedly been trampled to death in a stampede in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, during a Christmas celebration organised for children.
It was learnt that the event was organised by a radio station owned by popular broadcaster, which promised gifts for those in attendance.
Many of the children, it was learnt, have been rushed to the University of Ibadan College Hospital, where some had been confirmed dead while doctors have been battling to save the others.
“About twenty children have been reportedly killed while some have been rushed to UCH in Ibadan following an unfortunate stampede that occurred at the venue,” an eyewitness said on X.
One of them by name chemilly20 said, “A lot of people have lost their children’s lives because of free gifts from agidigbo. UCH is full of dead body, God have mercy ooo”.
BennyUmoren tweeted, “If you are in Ibadan please, don’t carry your children to Oriyomi (Agidigbo FM) for free gifts. They just brought 4 children into UCH now. I don’t know if they are dead. I just saw another one die now. God abeg o”.
FarinreOlumide tweeted, “May the Almighty rest the poor dead souls. I think the organization could be better. There is poverty in the land. Yes and greed, too. But I thought the organizers and Agidigbo FM should know better.”
Similarly, DSegaj tweeted:, “Tragedy struck this morning at Agidigbo FM Ibadan during a Christmas giveaway organised by Oriyomi Hamzat, as a stampede claimed the lives of several innocent children. What was meant to spread joy and relief turned into a heartbreaking disaster as families rushed to collect food.”
Unconfirmed sources at UCH claimed that some of the children were Brought in Dead (BID).
The hospital’s Management had yet to comment as of the time of filing this report.
