Ibadan Tragic Funfair: What Islam Says About Stampedes And Who It Holds Responsible
On December 18, 2024, a tragic stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan resulted in the deaths of 35 children and left six others critically injured. The event, organised by the Women In Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation founded by Queen Silekunola Moronke Naomi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife was intended to spread joy during the festive season but turned into a nightmare as over 7,500 attendees surged towards the venue at Islamic High School, Basorun, far exceeding the expected turnout of 5,000.
Eyewitness accounts revealed chaos as families rushed to secure cash handouts that were advertised as part of the festivities. As the crowd swelled, attempts to manage entry became futile, leading to a catastrophic crush. Local residents described scenes of desperation, with parents trying to lift their children over barriers and some even throwing them in the chaos.
In response to the incident, Oyo State Police arrested eight individuals, including Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, a former queen of Ife and head of WINGS Foundation, along with Fasasi Abdulahi, the principal of the school. Their arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly stampede.
The Oyo State government expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. Governor Seyi Makinde called it a “very sad day” for the state and emphasized that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. He reassured families that those responsible for the disaster would be held accountable as investigations continue.
What Does Islam Say About Stampedes And Who It Holds Responsible?
Speaking with Osun Defender, the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organizations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, shared his perspective on the incident, shedding light on the Islamic view of responsibility in such cases.
The Sheikh expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and emphasized that the government must bear the responsibility for such occurrences.
“Why didn’t you use the Islamic rule when you’re curious to know the Islamic perspective of the incident?” Sheikh Shafi’i questioned, noting that Islam offers clear guidelines on issues like this, especially when they involve public welfare.
READ ALSO: Ibadan Stampede: Video Proves Govt Aware Of Funfair
He continued, “In Islam, when a tragedy like this occurs, it is the government’s duty to ensure the safety and well-being of its people.”
According to the Sheikh, the government’s failure to uphold its responsibility is evident in the fact that innocent lives were lost due to such a small sum of money.
He pointed out that a people’s desperation for ₦5,000 signals a deeper issue of systemic poverty.
“Can people be living sufficient lives and still be running for ₦5,000? Can I have ₦50,000 in my wallet and be competing for ₦5,000 somewhere?” the Sheikh asked rhetorically.
He observed that the event, though intended as a charitable gesture, exposed the government’s failure to implement proper systems of governance.
“It is a reflection of the poverty rate in this country,” he said, adding that the government should feel ashamed for allowing such incidents to occur. “What is the essence of administering the government if the citizens are dying for ₦5,000?”
The Sheikh further criticized the lack of proper planning for the event, pointing out that despite attempts to regulate the distribution, the charity was poorly organized.
Reports indicated that people had begun queuing as early as 4:00 a.m. for a distribution that was not set to take place until 10:00 a.m.
Sheikh Shafi’i stressed that although the intent of the charity organizers was noble, the execution was flawed, leading to the tragic incident.
“It’s wrong to blame those who were distributing the charity,” Sheikh Shafi’i stated. “Their intentions were good, and as Muslims, we should also be supportive of such causes. However, much of the blame lies with the state’s poor administration, which failed to ensure the event was conducted safely.”
READ ALSO: Ibadan Stampede: Queen Naomi Embarks On Hunger Strike In Prison
He also highlighted the case of the Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, an organization that has successfully distributed charity across various states without incidents.
“Their mode is so standard that you would not even hear anything. Before the day of the distribution, people will register, and no one can just go there without being invited.”
In Sheikh Shafi’i’s view, proper planning and organization are critical to the successful and safe distribution of charity.
He referred to practices in Sudan, where the Baytul Zakat system ensures that vulnerable people are identified and receive charity directly at their homes.
“This system is so perfect that the wealthy do not need to compete for charity,” he said. “The aim is to know the number of people in need and ensure that charity reaches them in an organized manner.”
The Sheikh’s observations reflect a broader call for reform in the way charity is administered in Nigeria. “What is the essence of the census that we’re doing, if not to know the number of people in need?” he questioned, suggesting that the government’s failure to use available data to properly allocate resources is part of the problem.
He also advocated for systems where the wealthy could contribute to charity automatically through annual deductions, ensuring that it reaches those in need without the chaos that often accompanies such events.
Sheikh Shafi’i concluded his statement by urging the government to take responsibility for the incident and ensure that justice is served.
“The government should not place too much blame on those who were organizing the event,” he said, “but they must be just in whatever action they take moving forward.”
He also expressed his hope that the tragedy would not discourage others from carrying out similar charitable initiatives, noting that such events, when properly managed, can have a positive impact on society.
“It has happened already, and we must endure,” Sheikh Shafi’i said. “But we must learn from this incident, and the government must put in place measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
He closed with a prayer for the victims and their families, asking Allah to grant them strength to endure the loss. “May Allah grant the people the strength to endure, and may the government be just in whatever action they take.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
