Pandemonium broke out at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City during this year’s Children’s Day celebration after several students reportedly sustained injuries following the use of pepper spray and tear gas.
The event, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education, was disrupted when panic spread across the stadium, leading to a stampede that left many students injured and others fainting.
Several affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for treatment after collapsing from inhaling the chemical substances.
Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made inappropriate advances towards female students at the venue, which led to tension among participants.
According to a parent, Oboh Emmanuel, the behaviour of some students drew the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium.
He explained that the situation worsened when some students regrouped and confronted the bouncers, resulting in a physical altercation within the crowded arena.
During the confusion, pepper spray was allegedly released in an area filled with students, triggering panic and mass disorder.
However, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said reports of mass collapse were exaggerated.
He clarified that it was a bouncer who used pepper spray, not official security operatives as earlier reported.
He also stated that the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, quickly intervened to prevent further escalation and possible tragedy.
