This aerial picture reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the incident occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has eliminated 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, police said on Thursday.

The injured children were receiving medical attention following the event, which took place on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

"8 persons have because been arrested for their numerous participations", cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the primary sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was organised by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement "expressed extensive unhappiness over the awful event".

He offered his "wholehearted condolences" to residents, state authorities and the "grieving households who have lost their beloved kids".

He prompted the "Oyo State federal government to take every required step to avoid such a catastrophe from returning", the statement by the presidency included.

"Among the vital actions are a thorough evaluation of all public events' security procedures, stringent enforcement of safety regulations, and routine safety audits of occasion places," Tinubu added.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has actually seen a number of lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students passed away and 23 were injured after being crushed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four women who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy business person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had shared his condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

"Our hearts remain with the families and liked ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde stated.

"We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths," he added.