Former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, has been hospitalised following her arrest in connection with a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a funfair event at Basorun Islamic High School, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, when attendees rushed to gain access to the event, reportedly organised by Naomi and a popular broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat.
Naomi reportedly collapsed on Friday, December 20, while in police custody and was rushed to the Police Hospital in the Eleyele area of Ibadan for treatment. She was accompanied to the hospital by Hamzat, who was also arrested.
Seun Aribikola, a broadcast journalist based in Ibadan, disclosed the development in a Facebook post. A senior staff member of the hospital confirmed their admission, stating, “Both of them are currently at the hospital. The police have barricaded the area, so details remain limited due to the sensitive nature of the case.”
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Naomi, Hamzat, the school principal, Fasasi Abdulahi, and six others in connection with the tragedy.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, revealed in a statement on Thursday, December 19, that 35 children had been confirmed dead, while six others sustained injuries and are receiving medical care. The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police leading the investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage and grief across the state as authorities continue their probe into the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
