Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event, which was organised to celebrate school children across the State, was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identify himself Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
According to Oboh, that the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
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Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
Reacting, the Edo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kasim Afegbua said that the report of mass collapse of children was reported out of proportion, maintaining that it was a bouncer who used papper spray and not security agents as reported by some portion of the media. He added the the Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa quickly stepped in to avert any tragedy.
