Oriyomi Hamzat Speaks Out on Ibadan Funfair Stampede, Blames Parents for Chaos

Media personality Oriyomi Hamzat has broken his silence regarding the tragic stampede that occurred at a funfair event in Ibadan, shifting blame onto parents for the chaotic situation that led to casualties. In a detailed recount of the incident, Hamzat defended Prophetess Naomi, the event organizer, and highlighted the various challenges faced during the event’s preparation and execution.

In his statement, Hamzat shared that he had visited the venue the day before the event to inspect the arrangements. During this visit, he underscored the importance of proper security and crowd management. He emphasized the need for efficient ticketing and insisted on printing 5,500 tickets to manage the expected crowd, noting that the audience in Ibadan might behave differently compared to other locations where similar events had been held.

Despite these preparations, things began to spiral out of control early on the event day. By 4 a.m., parents had already started gathering at the venue, even though the program was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. By 5:45 a.m., Hamzat arrived to find blocked roads and scenes of desperation, with mothers throwing their children over the fence in an attempt to secure entry. Tragically, one child died after hitting his head on the ground when his mother threw him over the fence, assuming someone would catch him.

Hamzat criticized the parents’ reckless actions, questioning how Prophetess Naomi could be blamed for such behavior. He expressed disbelief that the responsibility for the tragedy was being placed on the shoulders of the event’s organizer, who had made significant efforts to ensure the event’s safety.

“A day before the funfair, I went to inspect the venue to ensure that all the necessary things were in place. Prophetess Naomi was there and she said the place was more spacious than the venue they originally intended to use,” Hamzat explained. “I asked about the security arrangement, and she assured me that security would be on site by 8 a.m. I told her and the team that Ibadan is different from other places and promised to provide 200 boys who would be handing out tickets to the children. Initially, there were no plans to use tickets.”

He continued, recounting his arrival at the venue early in the morning, where he found the situation already deteriorating. “I arrived at 5:45 a.m. and saw a massive crowd. Roads were blocked, and mothers were already throwing their kids over the fence. The event was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., and security wasn’t due until 8 a.m. I began begging everyone to go home, but they wouldn’t listen. By 7 a.m., the stampede had started.”

Hamzat also revealed that despite anticipating 5,000 children, Naomi had rented 7,000 chairs, as he had advised her to make provisions for mothers who would bring their kids. He further criticized the behavior of some parents, with one woman reportedly bringing 19 children to the venue.

“The stampede occurred because of the actions of the parents, not due to any lack of planning by Prophetess Naomi or her team,” Hamzat said. “How can it be Naomi’s fault when over 2,000 mothers threw their children over the fence as early as 4 a.m.?”

The tragedy has raised serious concerns over crowd management and safety at public events, and Hamzat’s statements have sparked a wider conversation about the role of event organizers and parents in ensuring the safety of attendees.

CAN,ib

In the wake of the tragic stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep sorrow and called for improved measures to manage large crowds during charitable events.

In a statement titled “A Heartfelt Response to the Tragedy at Holy Trinity Catholic Church” issued on Sunday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the incident as “not just statistics” but a devastating loss affecting real families. He offered condolences to the bereaved families and called for collective support and understanding.

“The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is disturbed by the tragic events at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday morning. We have learned that at least ten people, including children, lost their lives in a stampede while trying to seek help from the church,” Okoh stated.

“This tragedy is not just statistics; it represents real families who are hurting. Each person lost was someone’s beloved family member. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to the families affected by this terrible incident. We stand together with you in this time of sadness and prayer,” he added.

The incident, which occurred during a charitable event, is part of a concerning trend. Archbishop Okoh highlighted two other tragic stampedes that took place earlier this month in Nigeria.

On December 18, a Christmas funfair in Ibadan turned deadly when a stampede claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others critically injured. The event, intended to distribute cash and food to over 5,000 children, has since come under investigation for potential lapses in crowd management.

In another instance, a rice distribution event in Anambra State resulted in the deaths of 22 people and injuries to 32 others. Both incidents underscore the challenges associated with organizing large-scale charitable efforts in the country.

“These heartbreaking incidents highlight the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events. In the face of these tragedies, we recognize the importance of coming together to support those who are grieving,” Okoh said.

He urged Nigerians to show compassion and solidarity in these trying times. “It is crucial that we listen to one another, share our feelings, and offer help in any way we can. This is a time for compassion and understanding as we help one another heal,” the CAN president emphasized.

The CAN leadership also called for a review of protocols and strategies to ensure the safety of participants at charitable events, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

A Safer Tomorrow: Lessons from a Tragic Event

The sun was just beginning to rise over the bustling city of Ajayi as hundreds of people gathered outside the Civic Center. The event, a food distribution drive organized by a well-meaning NGO, promised relief to those struggling amidst the recent economic downturn. What began as a hopeful morning turned into a day etched in sorrow.

By noon, the crowd had swelled to thousands, including women cradling children, elderly men leaning on walking sticks, and teenagers who had come to secure meals for their families. The organizers, overwhelmed by the turnout, tried to maintain order, but the narrow entrance to the distribution hall became a bottleneck. As impatience grew, the atmosphere shifted from hopeful to tense.

When the gates finally opened, chaos erupted. People surged forward, pushing and shoving in a desperate bid to be among the first to receive the aid. A child’s cry pierced the air as bodies pressed against each other. Within moments, the situation spiraled out of control. In the ensuing stampede, dozens were injured, and eight lives were lost, including three children.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the community and drew nationwide attention. Critics lambasted the event organizers for failing to anticipate the crowd size and implement adequate safety measures. The government, too, faced scrutiny for its lack of proactive policies to prevent such incidents.

In the days following the tragedy, the city of Ajayi became a focal point for discussions on public safety and crowd management. At a press conference, Mayor Adedayo Adekunle expressed profound regret for the loss of lives and pledged swift action. “This is a wake-up call for all of us. We cannot allow such a preventable tragedy to happen again. The safety of our citizens must always come first,” he stated.

In response, the city council introduced a new set of regulations for public events. Under the policy, any gathering expected to host more than 200 attendees required pre-approval from the newly formed Event Safety Commission (ESC). Organizers would need to submit detailed plans, including crowd control strategies, medical response teams, and security personnel deployment.

The ESC also mandated that venues have multiple entry and exit points to prevent bottlenecks, provide ample drinking water, and deploy trained volunteers to assist with managing queues. Additionally, the city’s emergency response hotline was upgraded, and public awareness campaigns were launched to educate citizens on safety protocols during large gatherings.

The tragedy also inspired grassroots efforts. Community leaders organized workshops on crowd safety and first aid. Churches, mosques, and other organizations reevaluated their event planning processes, emphasizing safety above all.

One of the most poignant moments came during a memorial service for the victims. Family members and community members gathered to honor the lives lost and advocate for change. Among the speakers was Mrs. Ifeoma Nnaji, who lost her six-year-old daughter, Ada, in the stampede. Holding back tears, she addressed the crowd: “Ada’s life was precious, and her death must not be in vain. Let this be the last time we mourn such a loss. Let us learn, let us act, and let us protect each other.”

Months later, Ajayi’s efforts began to show results. A subsequent food distribution event, held at a larger venue with stringent safety measures in place, went smoothly. Attendees praised the organizers and city officials for their diligence, noting how the lessons from the past had been implemented effectively.

The tragedy in Ajayi became a turning point for the entire nation. State governments adopted similar policies, and collaborations between public and private sectors strengthened safety frameworks. While the scars of that fateful day remained, the collective response demonstrated resilience and a commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.

As the city moved forward, it carried with it the memory of those who had lost their lives. Their legacy became a catalyst for change, ensuring that public events in Ajayi—and beyond—would be safer for everyone.

Epilogue

In a quiet corner of the city’s central park, a memorial was erected in honor of the victims. Inscribed on it were the words: “In their memory, we build a safer tomorrow.” It served as a somber reminder of the past and a beacon of hope for the future.