A tragic stampede during a Christmas celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State, has reportedly left over 20 children dead.
The event, organized by a radio station owned by prominent broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, drew an overwhelming crowd with the promise of gifts, resulting in a chaotic rush.
Eyewitnesses reported that the chaos led to several children being trampled.
Many victims were rushed to the University of Ibadan College Hospital (UCH), where some were pronounced dead on arrival while others were receiving treatment.
News of the incident quickly went viral on social media, with users on X (formerly Twitter) sharing details and expressing outrage.
One user lamented the loss, writing, “A lot of people have lost their children’s lives because of gifts… UCH is full of dead bodies.”
Another warned parents against attending events organized by the station, highlighting reports of multiple fatalities.
Concerns about poor event planning were also raised online. One commenter criticized the lack of crowd control, stating, “Poverty is real, but the organizers should have anticipated this and done better.”
Another described the incident as a “devastating disaster,” emphasizing how an event meant to bring joy turned into sorrow for many families.
While some sources at UCH confirmed that children arrived at the hospital already deceased, the hospital’s management has yet to release an official statement.
What was intended as a festive gathering to bring relief and happiness has instead become a tragic reminder of the consequences of inadequate event organization amidst widespread economic hardship.