MURIC demands answers after Basorun-Ibadan tragedy left dozens of children dead

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded answers to the devastating stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, which claimed the lives of at least 32 children on Wednesday.

The tragedy unfolded at the Islamic High School, Basorun, during an end-of-year event.

Originally planned for 5,000 attendees, the event was overwhelmed by a crowd of over 7,500, leading to a chaotic and deadly stampede.

The funfair, intended to be a festive occasion for children, turned into a scene of heartbreak and tragedy as emergency responders worked to recover the victims.

Reacting to the incident in a statement signed by the Chairman, Barr AbdulWaheed Awwal Lawal, the Oyo State branch of the Muslim body said the recent tragic incident has raised more questions than answers while demanding that the public deserves to know the truth.

The statement said the “Initial reports suggest that the program was an evangelistic event targeting Muslims, cleverly organized to attract Muslim attendees who fell for it with their hijabs and niqobs.

“Shockingly, and of cause as would be expected, 90% of the victims were Muslims, because they dominated the place. May Allah admit the deceased Muslim children to aljannah and comfort their families.

“We question the media’s hypocritical underreporting of the tragedy, seemingly due to the event’s Christian evangelistic nature.

It went further to say that the media’s portrayal of the incident as being organized by Islamic High School, Basorun, is misleading.

“The questions that every reasonable person may want to ask and they are asking now are:

1. Why was a Muslim school’s venue used for a Christian evangelistic program?
2. Were the Islamic Mission and school authorities consulted and involved in the organization of the event?
3. Why was the event not held at a more suitable venue, such as St. Patrick’s or Adamasingba Stadium?

“We urge the Islamic Mission and school authorities to speak out and provide clarity on their involvement in the event. The public deserves transparency and truth. Let us demand answers and seek justice for the victims and their families.”