Ibadan Children Funfair Stampede: Child Protection Network Urges Govt to Implement Safeguarding Laws, Provide Support for Victims’ Families, Ensure Accountability

… As the group demand for independent enquiry committee, punishment for culprits, improved safety measures

Following the stampede that occurred at a children funfair in Islamic high school, an advocacy group on children protection right, Child Protection Network has called on the state government to implement a clear safeguarding laws, policy and regulations for children safety to prevent the future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.

The civil society group made the call to the government while reacting to stampede at a children funfair which occurred in last year December 18 at Islamic high school Ibadan.

Speaking with newsmen, The state coordinator, Mrs Rosemary Odigbo charged the government to set-up an independent enquiry committee and not to swept the case under the carpet but the culprits must be punished.

She called on the government to make sure they instruct all future events organizers to adhere to safety tips on ground, such as crowd control, on-site emergency response teams to be available to rescue any unfortunate incidents.

In his remarks, the Oyo state coordinator Network of civil society against trafficking in persons Child abuse labour, Mr Omotosho Gbolagade posited that the government should as a matter of urgency to implement children safeguarding laws and regulations to prevent children from abuse.

He advised Oyo state government to invite all the parents of all the victims to help them on medical check-up on psycho-social support for them.

This call for action is not isolated, as there have been previous concerns about child protection in Oyo State.