A Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Omo Oodua Yoruba community, has appealed to Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde and the state police command to grant unconditional bail to Princess Naomi Silekunola, former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and other persons allegedly involved in the Ibadan conflict. Stampede that claimed the lives of 35 people, mostly children.
The group, led by President General Dr. Garzali Adesokan Saura and Secretary General Hon. Abdulazees Oyeniyi Salaudeen, condemned the tragedy and commiserated with the families of the victims.
They also urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in the matter, stressing that all parties involved are his children.
“And we beseech Kabiyesi, Baba Ooni, to immediately intervene in the matter as we are all his children ile OODUA kogbodo baje.
“While we also extend our condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives during the stamping just days before Christmas in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo bore a considerable share of the tragedy.
“Thirty-five people (35), most of whom were children or schoolchildren, were trampled to death in a stampede. The dead and a crowd estimated at about 10,000 people had honored the invitation to attend a fun fair where gifts would be shared per attendee, which included the sum of 5,000 naira,” the group maintained.