The Oyo State government is facing mounting criticism over the detention of Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, in connection with the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a funfair in Ibadan.
Silekunola, a widely respected philanthropist, was remanded alongside two others on charges of conspiracy, negligence leading to harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical services at the event.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been at the forefront of calls for her release, labeling her detention as unjust and unwarranted.
In a strongly worded statement, NANS slammed the government for failing to tackle the root causes of the tragedy, such as poverty and hunger, which they argue were significant contributors to the stampede. The student body emphasized that Silekunola, who has a proven track record of supporting underprivileged communities, should not be punished for her charitable initiatives.
NANS further criticized the government for neglecting its responsibility to ensure proper security arrangements during mass gatherings. They highlighted similar incidents in the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra, where stampedes during food distribution also resulted in fatalities, yet no arrests or prosecutions were made.
The prolonged detention of Silekunola has raised fears that it may deter other philanthropists from assisting vulnerable populations in the future.
Calling for her immediate release, NANS warned that the government’s actions risk setting a harmful precedent that could discourage acts of goodwill across the country.