Panic at Edo Children’s Day Celebration as Students Collapse After Pepper Spray Scare in Stadium Chaos

What was meant to be a day of laughter, colours, and celebration for schoolchildren in Edo State ended in confusion and panic on Wednesday after several students reportedly collapsed following the use of pepper spray at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The incident, which disrupted the state-organised Children’s Day event, quickly turned the festive atmosphere into chaos as frightened students, teachers, and officials scrambled to assist those affected. Many of the victims—mostly students—were said to have fainted after inhaling the chemical spray used during a confrontation involving a private security operative and a group of students.

According to eyewitness accounts, the trouble began when some male students allegedly engaged in unruly conduct at the venue, including inappropriate advances towards female students. Their behaviour reportedly drew the attention of security personnel stationed at the stadium to maintain order during the event.

A private security operative, identified as a bouncer, was said to have stepped in to restore calm. However, the situation escalated when some of the students allegedly regrouped and moved to attack him. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, the security operative reportedly discharged pepper spray—an action that unintentionally affected a larger number of students beyond those involved in the altercation.

The effect was immediate and widespread. Several students, particularly girls, reportedly began coughing, gasping for breath, and fainting as panic spread through the stadium. The disruption forced a temporary breakdown of activities as emergency response efforts were activated on the spot.

A parent at the scene, Oboh Emmanuel, described the incident as an unfortunate consequence of indiscipline among some students, noting that security personnel were compelled to intervene after observing the behaviour.

“The behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of the bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students,” he said.

As the situation unfolded, affected students were rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for urgent medical attention. Medical personnel confirmed that most of the students responded well to treatment, with many discharged after receiving care for mild effects of inhalation.

When journalists visited the hospital later in the evening, two students were still under observation, though their condition was said to be stable. A medical worker on duty confirmed they would likely be discharged after overnight monitoring.

“We have two more here, and they will be discharged this night as they have recovered fully,” the medical personnel said.

The Edo State Government has confirmed the incident and assured that swift action was taken to stabilise the situation. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, stated that the security operative responsible for using the pepper spray had been detained for questioning.

He also disclosed that apart from the two students still under observation, all other affected students had been discharged.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained,” he said.

Ebojele, however, maintained that the situation had been exaggerated in some reports, insisting that adequate arrangements were made to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the children at the event.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoy their day,” he added.

Despite the government’s clarification, the incident has sparked concern among parents and observers, raising questions about crowd control, student conduct, and the use of chemical deterrents at large-scale school events. Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the disruption as investigations continue.