A festive Christmas celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State, turned tragic as a stampede during the event claimed the lives of over 20 children.
Organized by Agidigbo FM, a radio station owned by renowned broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, the event promised free gifts and food, drawing an overwhelming crowd.
The chaos unfolded when attendees surged forward to receive the gifts, leading to a stampede in which many children were trampled. Witnesses described the scene as devastating, with several injured children rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where some were pronounced dead on arrival. Medical staff are currently battling to save others.
Social media platforms were flooded with accounts of the tragic incident. One user on X (formerly Twitter) lamented, “A lot of parents lost their children today because of free gifts… UCH is full of lifeless bodies.” Another cautioned Ibadan residents against attending similar events organized by the station, sharing reports of more children arriving at UCH in critical conditions.
Criticism of the event’s organization has also emerged, with many suggesting that better planning could have averted the disaster. “This is poverty at play, but the organizers should have anticipated the risks and ensured proper crowd control,” one user noted. Another described the event as “a heartbreaking disaster” that turned a joyous celebration into a day of mourning.
Unconfirmed reports from UCH sources indicate that some children arrived at the hospital already deceased. The hospital’s management has yet to issue an official statement on the casualties.
What was intended to spread joy during the holiday season has left Ibadan in mourning, raising concerns about event planning and crowd safety in future public gatherings.