The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the death of three persons and the hospitalisation of several others following a stampede during a post-convocation party at a hotel in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area.
The post-convocation party was organised by new graduates of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), following the institution’s second convocation ceremony held on Saturday, April 18.
According to the police, those who lost their lives included a fresh graduate, an undergraduate and a member of the hotel staff.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti state, Falade Adegoroye Michael, in a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abutu Sunday, confirmed he has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and expressed his condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased.
The statement, titled “Fatal Stampede at Ikere-Ekiti: CP orders thorough investigation, sympathises with deceased relatives, friends,” reads:
“The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident that happened at Emirate Hotel, Ikere-Ekiti, today being 19th of April 2026, at about 0100hrs, that led to the death of a staff of the hotel and two students of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI).
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the students, after their convocation on 18th April, 2026, decided to move to the hotel for a party. During the party, which lasted till the following day, two yet to be identified students had an argument and began to fight.
“Others around decided to run out of the hotel premises, and there was a stampede that claimed the lives of the three persons. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue for autopsy.
“The CP, while sympathising with the relatives and friends of the victims, calls for calm, as no stone will be left unturned concerning the unfortunate incident.“
The incident occurred in the late hours of the night at a popular hotel in the town where a large crowd of fresh graduates and undergraduates had gathered to celebrate the university’s second convocation.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the atmosphere was initially celebratory, with guests dancing and socialising. However, trouble began when a disagreement between individuals escalated into a violent altercation.
The situation reportedly spiralled out of control when some individuals allegedly began brandishing sharp objects, causing a mass panic. Witnesses added that guests, perceiving immediate danger, attempted to flee the premises; in the ensuing rush, several individuals fell and were trampled.
“The incident resulted in the death of three persons, and some injured persons have been hospitalised. Two of the victims died as a result of the stampede, while another was reportedly attacked during the violence. One of those who died was a fresh graduate who had participated in the convocation ceremony on Saturday,” a witness stated.
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