A local Nigerian radio station in Ibadan, Agidigbo 88.7 FM, owned by popular broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, has denied organizing the Christmas party that claimed 32 lives.

A stampede at the children’s Christmas party held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, left many dead and several others wounded.

The radio station was reported to have organized the event in collaboration with the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, but the radio station said it only promoted the event as a media institution and was not part of its organizers.

A press statement signed by its Director of Programs, Olayinka Abdulwahab, said the radio station was notified that a mammoth crowd had assembled at the venue of the event before 5 am on Wednesday morning and they warned that additional people must refrain from going there.

“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds that Agidigbo FM, is the organizer of the children’s funfair, however, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organizer of the event, but one of the media outfits used to promote the event,” the statement reads in part.

“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitize the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.”

According to Abdulwahab, it was not time to spread misinformation.

“The Management of Agidigbo FM implore the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathize with the family of those who lost their lives.”

The Oyo State Police Command last Thursday said 35 children have been confirmed dead. This is just as it disclosed that six others were injured, while eight people were arrested in connection with the unfortunate incident.