Ibadan Stampede: How Queen Naomi's annual children's Funfair turned Tragic in 2024

Nigerians woke up to tragic news of 35 children killed in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo, on 18 December 2024, during an annual funfair event organised by Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola, the Women In Need of Guidance and Support Foundation, and Agidigbo 88.7 FM. 

The event held at Islamic High School, Bashorun district, attracted a large audience due to the promise of cash handouts, free food and scholarships, especially as Nigerians grapple with economic challenges. 

Attendees began arriving at the venue at 5:00 AM and quickly grew to over 5,000 children, but things turned tragic as the crowds of children squabbled to get their share of cash and other promised incentives. Reports indicate that a stampede that started when the organisers arrived at the venue to begin proceeding killed 35 children and left many injured. 

Queen Naomi has held similar events in the past.

While the Ibadan event ended tragically, Queen Naomi has held similar charitable events in the past with no deaths or reports of stampedes.  

In 2019, while still married to Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Queen Naomi hosted a children’s funfair at the Ooni Palace, Ile Ife, on 17 December 2024. The event, with several dignitaries in attendance, had the Ooni of Ife as the Royal Father of the Day. The event was posted on her Global Friends Facebook page. 

While details of other children’s funfair events held by Queen Naomi’s since 2019 are limited, she celebrated the success of the one she did in 2022 on her Instagram. With photos, Queen Naomi, on her Instagram account, wrote, “Memories from last year’s Children fun-fair with WINGS FOUNDATION...” Hinting at the coming 2023 edition, she added, “We are few days away from this year’s own. Dec 20th, 2023 is the date.”

Ibadan Stampede: 35 Children Killed, Queen Naomi Arrested

In a tragic turn of events, the 2024 edition of Queen Naomi’s annual funfair turned into mourning as 35 children were confirmed dead and others injured. While details of what led to the stampede remain undisclosed, Queen Naomi was arrested. 

She was arrested alongside the school principal, Fasasi Abdulahi (m, 56), Genesis Christopher (m, 24), Taniowo Moruf (m, 52), Anisolaja Olabode (m, 42), Idowu Ibrahim m, 35), and Abiola Oluwatiilehin (m, 25). However, the ex-queen was named the main sponsor of the event, according to the Police report. 

The Oyo State Police, in a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest, adding 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. 

Tinubu Mourns, Orders Probe

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a probe into the event. In a statement by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga in a statement said the President expressed sadness over the tragic incident. 

Per the statement, Tinubu said it was imperative to determine the actions that led to the tragic incident, whether it’s negligence or deliberate actions, to ensure transparency and accountability. The president, via the statement, had also called for a complete review of all public events’s safety measures, strict enforcement of safe regulations and regular safety audits of event venues. 

Extending his condolences to Oyo State, the President mourned with the families of the deceased who lost their children and the state government. Tinubu, via the statement, said, “In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.”