.Police confirm arrest of 8 suspects, 35 deaths
From Demola Adeloye, Ibadan and Yahaya Umar, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday mourned victims of the stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital ßwhich led to loss of 35 lives and many injures.
This was contained in a statement presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement “the President extends his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.
“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.
It also indicated that “President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly”.
Tin, who stressed the need to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to the tragic incident urged the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure with a view to preventing a reoccurrence.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of eight suspects in connection with Wednesday’s stampede during a children’s funfair at Basorun Islamic High School, Ibadan.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and the death of 35 minors in a statement issued in Ibadan, yesterday.
Osifeso, said 35 minors had so far been documented dead while six others were left critically injured and on various medical interventions.
He said the case had been trans&erred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police leading the investigation.
“Residents around the axis are advised not to panic as they will witness high-level patrols and visible police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation”, he said.
He said the command sympathised with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy, assuring the good people of the state that justice would be served accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Mrs Funmilayo Adetuyibi, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that only five victims were brought to the hospital.
“The five victims brought in yesterday were brought in dead, so we are not talking about any admission because they were brought in dead,” she said.