Stampede: ‘Parents who smuggled kids to Ibadan event should be held responsible’ – Femi Branch

Actor Femi Branch has shared his thoughts on the stampede in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, last week which resulted in the deaths of over 40 people, mostly children.

The stampede occurred at an event held at Islamic High School in the Bashorun area.

The event, organised by Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, was intended to cater to 5,000 attendees.

But news of a “free entry” with promises of gifts and scholarships spread quickly, attracting a large crowd.

On the eve of the event, hundreds had camped around the school to ensure they made it to the venue on time.

The stampede led to the arrest, arraignment, and remand of Silekunola, Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO Of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School.

Addressing the matter in an Instagram post, Branch argued that the women who smuggled their children into the venue were the real offenders.

The actor claimed the organisers were only trying to do good, adding that “it’s unfair to blame them for the tragic incident”.

He questioned why the parents who threw their children over the fence to gain entry into the event haven’t been charged or held accountable.

“This is not me trying to be insensitive about the plight of the children who died. It is very tragic. If the purpose is to blame those people responsible for the deaths. How is it the organiser?” Femi Branch said.

“According to the report, people slept overnight. They were throwing their children over the fence. How is this the fault of the organisers? Is it a problem to do good in this country right now because we are dealing with so much, and the people once in a while, from the little they have, also touch people’s lives?

“I think people need to speak up about this. Why have the police not fished out those parents who threw their children over the fence and also charged them? Because as far as I am concerned, they are the offenders, not the organisers.

“The facts are clear. It is unfair for Oriyomi Hamzat and prophetess Naomi to be remanded on his matter. These people should be set free.”