Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children's Day celebration at Ogbe Stadium in Edo State as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray. The event, organized by the Edo State Ministry of Education, was disrupted after some male students from Ihogbe College allegedly made inappropriate advances towards female students at the venue.
Parent Recounts Incident
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, "The behavior of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students." Oboh added that the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
Pepper Spray Used in Crowd
In the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students. Many students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the melee. Panic spread across the stadium as students, teachers, and parents scrambled for safety.
Medical Response and Official Reaction
Many affected students were rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention. Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel who fired the tear gas had been detained. He stated that all but two of the students rushed to the hospital have been discharged, with doctors wanting to observe the remaining two overnight. "The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained. The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day," Ebojele said.
