A Non-governmental Organization, AFA Child Care Advocacy Foundation, has condemned the recent stampede in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State which claimed the lives of innocent 35 children.
The foundation described the menace as not only a sad one, but one of the tragic incident in the his of the country.
The AFA foundation in a statement on Saturday, expressed deep shock over the incident and described it as a rude shock.
According to the statement “we are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in Ibadan,on Wednesday 18th of December, 2024, where a stampede claimed the lives of about 35 innocent children at an event organized by an ex-wife of Ọọni of Ife, Queen Silekuola Naomi.
“Our hearts goes out to the bereaved families and the parents of the lost children, while we offer our sincere condolences during this difficult time to the berieved parents. We equally prayed for the repost of the souls of the departed children.
“The AFA Child Care Advocacy Foundation strongly condemned this avoidable tragedy, which could have been prevented with proper planning, organization and safety measures. The loss of young lives is a devastating blow to our community and the nation at large”
Describing the incident as a sad one, the foundation urged the homicide section of the Nigeria Police, Oyo State Command and other relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate cause of the unfortunate incident and take immediate action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
While praying to God to console the berieved parents and families, the foundation equally called on the event organizers and stakeholders to always prioritize the safety and well-being of children including vulnerable individuals in the society.
“To the families and parents of the lost children, we offer our support and solidarity during this difficult time. May the memories of your loved ones be a blessing, and may you find strength and comfort in the days ahead” the foundation stated.