Chaos broke out during the Edo State Government’s Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Wednesday, sending dozens of students to the hospital.
Reports said security operatives teargassed dozens of children in an effort to disperse the crowd and de escalate a fight .
Sources say that a fight between students and bouncers during an Edo State Ministry of Education event triggered the deployment of tear gas in a crowded area.
BACKSTORY…
The clash began when bouncers stationed at the stadium confronted and reprimanded male students from Ihogbe College, who were allegedly harassing female students at the venue.
And in a bid to control the situation, one of the bouncers deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students, leading to some students reportedly fainting after inhaling the substance.
Video clips circulating online captured several students rushed to Edo Specialist Hospital in a van and buses, some lying on bare floors at the hospital, receiving oxygen and emergency treatment. Some students were seen crying, while others appeared unconscious.
N9.98bn children’s day celebration budget
Meanwhile, the chaos has raised fresh questions about crowd control and safety planning despite the government’s multi-billion-naira budget for state celebrations.
According to an analysis of the Edo State budget papers, by PREMIUM TIMES the state government spent N4.99 billion of the N7.77 billion allocated for special days and celebrations between January and September of 2025.
Government reacts
Verifying the incident, Patrick Ebojele, chief press secretary to the governor, said the man who used the pepper spray has been detained.
Ebojele, however, said all the students, except two, who were rushed to the hospital, have been discharged.
In a statement, Mr Ebojele further clarified that the stadium was filled beyond expectation because of the government’s investment in education.
He also confirmed that the bouncer involved was being interrogated by the police and that investigations had commenced.
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