Stampede: Naomi’s Family Faults Oyo Security Adviser’s Claims, Says Necessary Stakeholders Were Informed
Folarin Ogunseyi, the brother of Queen Silekunola Naomi, and her mother, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi, have disputed allegations of negligence surrounding the ill-fated children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, where a stampede tragically claimed 35 lives.
Speaking during a live Instagram session with Daddy Freeze on Thursday, they defended Queen Naomi, stating that all necessary stakeholders had been informed before the event. This comes after Fatai Owoseni, the Special Adviser on Security to the Oyo State Government, accused the organisers of failing to notify security personnel prior to the event.
Watch the live session here: Instagram Reel.
Background
The tragedy occurred last Wednesday at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, during a children’s Christmas party organized by Queen Naomi in partnership with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, a radio station owned by Oriyomi Hamzat. The event, widely promoted before the incident, was initially scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
However, Mrs. Ogunseyi claims that the stampede took place as early as 6 a.m., before the event officially commenced. “We were unable to get to the venue,” she said.
Queen Naomi has since been remanded in custody by the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan, facing charges of conspiracy, neglect causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical facilities at the event.
Security Adviser’s Comments
Fatai Owoseni criticised the organizers during a segment of the Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation Service (BCOS) program, Eyi Ara, alleging that the incident could have been avoided if security personnel had been properly briefed.
In a partly transcribed statement On Tuesday, Owoseni said:
“The programme was given too much publicity. The incident would have been avoidable if the organisers had sat with the security officers about what they wanted to do.
“Two months ago, when Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo did his own (event), we were properly informed, and we ensured adequate security so that no casualty was recorded.”
Watch Owoseni’s statement here: Facebook Video.
Family’s Defense
Mrs. Ogunseyi refuted Owoseni’s claims, asserting that four security personnel were present at the venue during the stampede. She explained that two policemen and two bouncers had been stationed at the site overnight, with plans for additional police officers to arrive by 8 a.m.
“Our security was there (during the stampede). We had two policemen and two bouncers. They were there at the event that early morning,” she said.
Folarin Ogunseyi, Queen Naomi’s brother, also dismissed allegations of negligence, arguing that the accusations against his sister were baseless and politically motivated.
In his words:
“I don’t want to mention names here. But all the necessary stakeholders were informed. As of that time, nothing was distributed. But people were throwing their children through the fence just to get a seat. Most of the things we rented were destroyed.
“When this happened, she went to the police station. They told us they wanted to keep her there for the sake of avoiding uproar. First day, second day, and third day, then they took her to court. That was where I felt this thing was arranged.
“This thing that happened does not mean my sister should be sacrificed for it. Stampede cases happen everywhere. Nobody is happy. This is Christmas, everyone should be merry. And that was the idea of the program.”
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