Children’s Day Panic as Several Students Hospitalised After Pepper Spray Incident in Edo

A Children’s Day celebration in Edo State ended in confusion on Wednesday after several students reportedly fainted following the discharge of pepper spray at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

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The incident occurred during the event organised for schoolchildren across the state after a disturbance allegedly broke out among some students at the venue.

Witnesses said a group of male students allegedly harassed some female students, prompting intervention from a member of a private security outfit stationed at the stadium.

It was gathered that the situation later escalated when the students allegedly confronted the security operative, leading him to spray a substance suspected to be pepper spray in an attempt to disperse them.

The substance reportedly affected several students within the vicinity, causing panic at the event as some of the pupils, especially girls, collapsed after inhaling it.

A parent identified as Oboh Emmanuel said the unruly conduct of some students attracted the attention of security officials at the venue.

“The security personnel stepped in after noticing the behaviour of some boys towards female students. Things later got out of hand,” he said.

Many of the affected students were subsequently rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

When journalists visited the hospital on Wednesday evening, some of the students had already been treated and discharged, while two others were still under medical observation.

A medical worker at the facility said the situation was not life-threatening, noting that the students responded well to treatment.

“The affected students were brought in after inhaling the substance. Most of them have been treated and discharged, while the remaining two are stable and will likely leave soon,” the health official said.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the security operative involved had been taken into custody.

He added that the government had ensured prompt medical care for the affected students and dismissed reports suggesting that the incident was more severe than reported.

“The students are responding well to treatment. Only two are still being observed by doctors, and the man responsible for using the pepper spray has been detained,” Ebojele stated.

He maintained that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure a successful and safe Children’s Day celebration before the unfortunate incident occurred.