Outrage As Ibadan Oap Oriyomi Hamzat, Prophetess Naomi, And One Other Remanded Over Stampede That Killed 35 Children
The media and public are abuzz as popular Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, alongside Prophetess Naomi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and another individual, has been charged with the tragic deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan. The three suspects have been denied bail and remanded in custody until January 13, 2025, facing murder charges.
The stampede occurred during a palliative distribution event organized by Prophetess Naomi as part of her children’s funfair program. The program was heavily promoted through Oriyomi Hamzat’s Agidigbo Radio Station. Reports indicate that the event spiraled out of control as an overwhelming number of attendees crowded the venue. Despite warnings broadcast on Agidigbo Radio urging people to stop coming, the influx continued, with some desperate parents allegedly throwing their children over the venue’s fence in the early hours of the morning, leading to injuries and fatalities.
Nigerians have expressed outrage over Hamzat’s arrest, arguing that he is being unfairly targeted because his radio station was used to promote the event. Many believe the broadcaster is being made a scapegoat, as he reportedly took steps to mitigate the chaos once the situation became apparent.
The tragedy has reignited debates about the government’s handling of palliative distribution in the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s subsidy removal policy. Since the policy’s implementation, at least 98 people have died in stampede-related incidents across seven separate events, highlighting the urgent need for better crowd management and distribution strategies.
As calls for justice and reform grow louder, the case against Hamzat, Prophetess Naomi, and the third accused has sparked widespread public interest and controversy. Many are demanding a thorough investigation and the release of Hamzat, arguing that accountability should lie with event organizers and not those who merely facilitated its promotion.