This aerial photograph shows a general 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 kids and seriously injured six others, cops stated on Thursday.

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

"8 individuals have actually because been arrested for their different participations", authorities representative Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged 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 declaration "revealed extensive sadness over the tragic incident".

He offered his "heartfelt acknowledgements" to locals, state authorities and the "mourning households who have lost their beloved kids".

He prompted the "Oyo State government to take every necessary step to avoid such a catastrophe from reoccurring", the declaration by the presidency added.

"Among the essential actions are a comprehensive evaluation of all public events' precaution, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event places," Tinubu added.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has seen a number of fatal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice handed out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four females who had been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to get hold of the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria faced its worst financial crisis in a generation.

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

"Our hearts stay with the families and enjoyed ones affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde stated.

"We sympathise with the parents whose joy has all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths," he added.