Several students reportedly lost consciousness during the Children’s Day celebration held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, after a security operative discharged pepper spray into a crowd.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during activities organised for schoolchildren across the state. Trouble reportedly started when some male students allegedly harassed female students at the venue, creating tension among participants.
Eyewitnesses said a bouncer attached to a private security outfit stepped in to restore order after noticing the disturbance. However, the situation escalated when the affected students allegedly confronted and attacked the security operative.
In an attempt to control the unrest, the bouncer sprayed pepper spray, but the substance spread beyond the intended targets and affected many other students at the stadium.
A parent at the scene, Oboh Emmanuel, explained that the unruly behaviour of some students drew the attention of security officials stationed at the venue.
According to him, the security personnel initially cautioned the students before the confrontation escalated.
Reports indicated that several students, mostly female pupils, fainted after inhaling the substance. Many of the affected children were later taken to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
Hospital sources disclosed that most of the students responded well to treatment and were discharged shortly after receiving care. Two students, however, remained under medical observation as of Wednesday night.
A medical worker at the hospital stated that the situation was not critical, noting that the affected students only reacted to inhaling the spray and had largely recovered.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, confirmed the incident and revealed that the security operative responsible for using the pepper spray had been taken into custody.
Ebojele also clarified that the remaining students in the hospital were stable and being monitored by doctors as a precautionary measure.
He maintained that the incident had been exaggerated in some reports, stressing that adequate arrangements were made to ensure the Children’s Day celebration was successful and safe for participants.