Security forces arrest organisers of event, which was attended by about 5,000 people drawn by ‘exciting prizes’.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at an Islamic high school in Ibadan, the capital of Nigeria’s southwest Oyo State, where up to 5,000 young people and children had reportedly gathered for the event.

Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Dotun Oyelade told journalists that at least 32 people were dead.

While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody,” he said.

He promised that “anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster” would be held accountable.

Local media identified the event organisers as the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, which held a similar festival last year

The group was preparing to host up to 5,000 young people at this year’s event, according to the Oyo-based Agidigbo FM radio station.

The festival organisers had promised participants would “win exciting prizes like scholarships and other bountiful gifts”.

Nigeria’s national emergency services said a team had been deployed to provide assistance to the victims.

https://aljazeera. Com/dozens-killed-in-stampede-at-youth-festival-in-nigeria/