Tragic Ibadan funfair organiser Ooni’s ex-queen, Naomi, collapses in police custody

-As IGP takes over probe

Following the stampede that resulted in the death of 35 children at a funfair in Ibadan recently, the organiser of the event, Ooni of Ife’s ex-queen, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, reportedly collapsed and has been hospitalised.

According to reports, Naomi, who was taken into custody by the police, passed out and was taken to the Police Hospital in Eleyele for medical attention with Oriyomi Hamzat, the Chairman of Agidigbo FM and the program’s media partner also said to be receiving medical treatment.

Adewale Osifeso, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, stated in a statement that eight people had been taken into custody over the incident.

The event was originally scheduled for 5,000 children, but over 7,500 youngsters came up, making the already stressful situation worse. This led to a stampede as participants tried to enter the arena. Thirty five children died in the process with many others injured.

A senior police source revealed that Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, is now in charge of the investigation into the terrible event, Punch reported.

Following the incident, the Oyo State Government has issued a statement requiring all media outlets that hold public events or children’s funfairs at the end of the year to observe strict safety protocols. It threatened to impose severe penalties on anyone who organise social events that endanger public safety, particularly for the elderly and children.

In remembrance of the children who perished in the stampede, Governor Seyi Makinde said on Friday that he would postpone his birthday celebrations on December 25, calling the incident regrettable, unpleasant, and avoidable.