Joe Igbokwe, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has spoken out following the tragic deaths of 32 children in a stampede during a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday in the Bashorun area of the city, led to the detention of Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, who organized the event.
Igbokwe took to Facebook to express his condolences and offer prayers for the families affected by the tragedy. He also defended Shikemi, who is facing intense scrutiny in the wake of the incident, emphasizing that she had no intention of causing harm to the children.
“Please pray for the kids who lost their lives, pray for the families, and pray for Queen Naomi at a time like this. Over 30 kids gone like that?” Igbokwe wrote, highlighting the gravity of the situation. His words sought to bring a sense of perspective and compassion to the unfolding tragedy.
The stampede occurred during a funfair organized by Shikemi, aimed at bringing joy and entertainment to children. Unfortunately, the event took a deadly turn, and the chaos led to the loss of so many young lives. Shikemi’s involvement in the incident has sparked a wave of public outrage, and she was subsequently detained by the Nigerian police for questioning.
Igbokwe, however, sought to shift the focus of the public’s attention away from blame and towards sympathy for those affected. “The devil is a liar from day one. She wanted to entertain the kids, and something went wrong,” he said, emphasizing that Shikemi’s intentions were purely positive.
He continued, “She wanted to give joy to the children, and something went wrong. She wanted to celebrate the kids, and the devil struck.” Igbokwe’s words reflected his belief that the incident was a tragic event that could not have been predicted or prevented by Shikemi.
The APC chieftain further noted that the former queen’s motives were rooted in compassion. “She wanted to give the children a sense of belonging, and calamity struck. She did this out of humanitarian concern, and the devil intervened,” Igbokwe said, calling on the public to understand the underlying intentions behind Shikemi’s actions.
He urged Nigerians to approach the situation with empathy and compassion. “Please, in the name of God Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, let us think deeply about this tragedy,” Igbokwe wrote, urging people to reflect on the nature of the incident before passing judgment.
Igbokwe reiterated that Shikemi did not bring the children to the event with the intention of harm. “She didn’t bring them there to die. She brought them there to be happy,” he stressed, reminding people that the purpose of the event was to create a positive experience for the children.
The APC leader also appealed to the public to show love and mercy towards Shikemi during this difficult time. “She brought them there to have fun. She brought them there to entertain them. Please show love and mercy to this lady at a time like this,” Igbokwe urged.
In closing, Igbokwe expressed his sorrow for the loss of life, offering his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. “It is unbelievable. It is a tragedy. May the souls of these children rest in perfect peace. Amen. An Endless Alleluia,” he wrote, adding a prayer for the deceased children.
The stampede in Ibadan has left many shaken, and the investigation into the cause of the chaos is ongoing. The Nigerian police are working to determine the events that led to the stampede and the tragic loss of life.
