Over 20 children have reportedly been trampled to death in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, following a stampede that occurred during a Christmas celebration organised for children.
Online reports said the event was organised by a radio station owned by popular broadcaster, at which gifts were promised attendees. Several of the children are said to have been rushed to the University of Ibadan College Hospital (UCH), where some of them were confirmed dead and others battling for life.
“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,” the portal TRIXX NG. Several X (formerly Twitter) users have also confirmed the incident.
One of them by name chemilly20 said: “A lot of people has lost there children’s life because free gift from agidigbo UCH is full of dead body God have mercy ooo”.
BennyUmoren tweeted: “If you are in Ibadan pls 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 Cc: Ifedolapo Stacyann Olanipekun 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 greediness 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 organized 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”.
A source at UCH contacted by a News Express Special Correspondent confirmed that some children were ‘BID’ – Brought In Dead –but the hospital is yet to officially comment on the matter.
