A stampede at a religious festival in Nigeria attended by thousands of young people has resulted in several deaths, local officials say.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at an Islamic high school in Ibadan, the capital of Nigeria’s southwest Oyo State, where up to 5,000 young people and children had reportedly gathered for the event.

State Governor Seyi Makinde said in a statement on X that the disaster had caused “multiple loss of lives and injuries” and that security forces had been deployed to get the situation under control and evacuate attendees from the site.

“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries,” Makinde said.

“This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.”

Local media identified the event organisers as the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, which held a similar festival last year.

The group was preparing to host up to 5,000 young people at this year’s event, according to the Oyo-based Agidigbo FM radio station.

The festival organisers had promised participants would “win exciting prizes like scholarships and other bountiful gifts”.

Nigeria’s national emergency services said a team had been deployed to provide assistance to the victims.

Source: Aljazeera