The Ekiti State Police Command has launched a full investigation into a fatal stampede that occurred at Emirate Hotel in Ikere-Ekiti during the early hours of Sunday, April 19, 2026, leaving three people dead including a fresh university graduate and his sibling who came to celebrate with him.
The incident unfolded when students from Bamidele Olumiluwa University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) gathered at the hotel for a post-convocation party following their graduation ceremony on April 18. What started as a celebration quickly turned tragic when two students engaged in a heated argument that escalated into a physical fight.
The confrontation triggered panic among other partygoers, who rushed toward the exits in fear. The sudden mass movement resulted in a stampede that claimed three lives. Among the deceased are two students of BOUESTI and one hotel staff member. The victims' identities are still being verified by police as their bodies have been transferred to the morgue for autopsy.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police CP Adegoroye Falade confirmed the incident in an official statement released Sunday evening through the command's spokesperson, Sunday Abutu. The commissioner expressed sympathy to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. CP Falade assured the public that the police will conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the stampede.
The police command has pledged to leave no stone unturned in its investigation of the incident. Authorities are working to identify the two students involved in the initial altercation and to understand how the argument escalated so rapidly that it caused panic among the party attendees. The investigation will also examine the hotel's safety protocols and crowd management procedures during the event.
The incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a joyful occasion for the graduating students and their families. The university and the local community are grieving the loss of young lives during what was meant to be a celebration of academic achievement. Police have called for calm as the investigation continues, urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
