The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that 35 persons have been documented dead in the stampede that took place at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, venue of the family event organised by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo Fm.
The police also disclosed that the estranged wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi Silekunola and seven others in connection with the tragedy, have been arrested.
A statement from the command’s spokesperson, SP Adewale Osifeso, posited that the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.
The statement in part reads, “Sequel to the Stampede incident recorded on Wednesday 18/12/2024 at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event Organized by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo Fm, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) persons have since been arrested for their various involvements.
“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.
“So far, (35) Thirty-Five minors have been documented dead while (6) six others are critically injured and on various medical interventions.
“In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.’
Police arrest Ooni’s ex-wife, seven others over Ibadan funfair stampede
Following the stampede at the children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo Police Command has arrested the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s former wife, Naomi, and seven others for organising an event that resulted in the tragedy.
Others in police detention were the principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where the event was held, 56-year-old Fasasi Abdulahi, 24-year-old Genesis Christopher, 52-year-old Tanimowo Moruf, 42-year-old Anisolaja Olabode, 35-year-old Idowu Ibrahim and 25-year-old Abiola Oluwatimilehin.
The eight suspects were apprehended by the Police on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the stampede that claimed the lives of children and adults at the funfair in the state.
