Pandemonium erupted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Wednesday during the annual Children’s Day celebration, as several students sustained injuries after security operatives deployed pepper spray and teargas canisters amid a chaotic incident. The event, organized by the Edo State Ministry of Education, turned violent when a confrontation broke out between students and bouncers stationed at the venue. Reports indicate that the use of chemical agents triggered a stampede, leading to students collapsing, fainting, and being trampled in the混乱.
The incident began when male students from Ihogbe College allegedly made inappropriate advances toward female students at the event. A parent, Oboh Emmanuel, told DAILY POST that these actions drew the attention of bouncers present at the stadium. According to him, the affected students then regrouped and attacked the bouncers, sparking a confrontation in the crowded arena. In the ensuing chaos, the bouncers reportedly used pepper spray in an area densely packed with children, causing widespread panic.
Many students, particularly girls, reportedly fainted after inhaling the chemical substance. Others sustained injuries from being stepped on during the stampede as students, teachers, and parents scrambled for safety. A source at the scene confirmed that emergency responders rushed several affected children to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical treatment. The hospital received multiple cases of respiratory distress, minor injuries, and shock, with medical staff working to stabilize the victims.
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, responded to the incident by stating that reports of mass collapse were exaggerated. He clarified that it was not official security agents but private bouncers who used pepper spray, correcting earlier media reports that had implicated state security personnel. Afegbua also noted that the state Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, intervened promptly to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The incident has sparked concern among parents, educators, and civil society groups over the safety of children at public events. Questions are now being raised about the presence and conduct of private security personnel at school-sponsored gatherings. Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the events of Wednesday to determine accountability and prevent recurrence. The Children’s Day celebration, meant to be a joyful occasion, has instead become a cautionary tale about crowd management and the use of force in sensitive environments.
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