Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has been hospitalized following a stampede that led to the tragic deaths of 35 people at a free funfair she organized in Ibadan on Friday, December 20.
The event, intended to bring joy to children, quickly turned into a disaster as crowds struggled to gain access to the venue, resulting in the fatal chaos.
The police confirmed that Naomi was arrested in connection with the incident and detained along with other event organizers.
The arrest followed a deadly stampede that left dozens injured and many others in distress.
While Naomi was being questioned, a popular broadcast journalist, Seun Aribikola, reported on Facebook that the former queen collapsed due to the intense emotional strain caused by the tragedy.
Aribikola further revealed that Naomi was promptly rushed to the Police Hospital at Eleyele, Ibadan, for immediate medical treatment.
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Alongside her, Hamzat, the Chairman of Agidigbo FM, was also taken to the hospital.
In a statement, Adewale Osifeso, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed that eight individuals had been arrested in relation to the incident.
He also assured that investigations were underway to determine the full circumstances leading to the stampede and subsequent loss of life.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place for large public events, particularly those aimed at vulnerable groups such as children.
The devastating outcome has left many mourning, while the authorities continue to investigate the cause and responsibility for the tragedy.
