Stampede in southwestern Nigerian city causes multiple deaths

A stampede at a religious event in Ibadan, the capital of Nigeria's southwest Oyo state, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, Governor Seyi Makinde said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at an Islamic high school where a large crowd had gathered for a family event.

"While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody," Makinde said in a statement posted on X.

Reuters could not immediately establish how many people had died or what caused the incident.

Emergency services, including medical personnel and ambulances, were immediately dispatched to the scene, Makinde said.

Security forces were also deployed to control the situation and prevent further casualties. The event has been halted, and the rest of the attendees have been safely evacuated from the venue, he said.