In the aftermath of the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of over 35 children at a funfair in Ibadan, a survivor has shared her heartbreaking experience of how she fought to save her three-year-old child from being crushed under the weight of the crowd. The incident occurred at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, where thousands had gathered for an event promising enticing gifts for children, including scholarships and land parcels.
Laide, a 30-year-old hairstylist and mother, arrived at the venue with her child strapped to her back. The crowd was overwhelming, with over 10,000 people jam-packed at the entrance, making it almost impossible to breathe. What was meant to be a day of celebration quickly descended into chaos when the gates were flung open, unleashing a surge of desperate attendees.
“I had my three-year-old child strapped to my back, and she was getting suffocated by the intense heat,” Laide recounted. The mother, who had been persuaded by her neighbors to attend the event, recalled how her child fell from her grasp as the crowd surged forward. Trapped beneath the weight of the crowd, she struggled to protect her baby.
“While still on the ground and unable to move my body, I struggled under the weight of several people who had fallen on me and were marching on my head,” she said. Miraculously, an adult in the stampede heard her child’s faint cries and fought to clear the bodies piling up, saving the baby’s life.
The event, organized by Oriyomi Hamzat, had drawn attendees from across cities including Lagos, Ile-Ife, Osogbo, and Ogbomoso, lured by promises of grand prizes. However, the massive turnout overwhelmed the venue, leading to the stampede that claimed so many young lives.
Laide’s child is currently receiving treatment at Adeoyo State Specialist Hospital, but the experience has left the mother traumatized. “I regret going to that funfair. I will not try such a thing again,” she said, her voice filled with anguish.
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability as families mourn the loss of their children. Questions remain about the planning and crowd management of the event, which has now become a dark stain on the community’s festive season.
As investigations continue, survivors like Laide are left grappling with the memories of a day that was meant to bring joy but ended in unspeakable sorrow.
