The Oyo State Government has filed eight counts of murder and manslaughter against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station; and Abdulahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The charges stem from a stampede at a children’s funfair on December 18, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.

The charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025 and filed on January 10, 2025, at the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, lists the state government as the complainant, with Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi as defendants. The government alleges conspiracy to commit murder and manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other offenses under the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The charge sheet identifies 14 out of the 35 deceased children, including Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8, Lekan Salami, aged 7, Feyikemi Salam, aged 1.5, and others ranging from 1.5 to 18 years old. The state accuses the defendants of failing to provide adequate security, crowd control measures, and medical facilities at the funfair, alleging that this negligence directly caused the fatalities.

Fasasi faces additional charges, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, and negligent acts causing harm. Governor Seyi Makinde previously pledged that the state would ensure accountability for the tragic incident.

The defendants, arrested on December 24, 2024, remain in custody as they await trial.

READ ALSO: Stampede Case: Court to Rule on Bail for Ooni’s Ex-Wife and Others January 13

Tragedy struck Tungar Kara, a community in the Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Saturday evening, when an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) mistakenly hit members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and residents. The attack left at least 16 people dead.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred shortly after armed bandits raided the area and fled. The local vigilantes, who had mobilized to defend the community, were tragically caught in the airstrike.

Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru, a lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident. He described the airstrike as accidental, explaining that the vigilantes were mistakenly targeted while responding to the bandit attack. He also noted that the exact death toll is yet to be confirmed.

Military authorities have yet to formally respond to the incident. However, earlier on Sunday, the Nigerian Air Force issued a statement detailing the success of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a joint air-ground offensive targeting the hideout of notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji in Fakai Hills. According to Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, the operation successfully neutralized several bandits and rescued multiple kidnapped victims. The Air Force described the mission as a significant step toward restoring peace in Zamfara State.

This tragic incident highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and insecurity, where accidental airstrikes have previously resulted in civilian casualties.

For instance, in December 2023, a Nigerian military airstrike targeting jihadists mistakenly bombed a Muslim religious gathering in the Tudun Biri community, Kaduna State, killing at least 85 people, including women and children. Similarly, in January 2017, an airstrike on a camp in Rann, housing 40,000 displaced people near the Cameroon border, claimed at least 112 lives.

The latest tragedy in Zamfara underscores the need for improved coordination and intelligence to avoid further loss of innocent lives in the ongoing battle against insecurity in the region.