What was meant to be a day of joy and celebration for children in Edo State ended in panic and pain. A Children's Day event at the Dr. Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City took a troubling turn on May 27.
The festivities were disrupted when a tear gas canister was discharged right in the middle of the crowded stadium. The effect was immediate and devastating on the young attendees.
Trouble reportedly started from a seemingly minor disagreement. Some male students at the event began making advances toward female students from a different school. Bouncers stationed at the stadium noticed this and stepped in to rebuke the boys.
Rather than backing down, the rebuked boys allegedly regrouped and launched an attack on the bouncers. This caused a serious confrontation in the middle of the heavily packed stadium.
In a bid to control the escalating fight, one of the bouncers reportedly fired a tear gas canister. Unfortunately, it landed in an area filled with a large number of students. The toxic fumes quickly spread through the crowd.
Several students inhaled the substance and collapsed immediately. Panic took over as teachers, parents, and children scampered for safety. In the rush to escape, many students sustained injuries, with young girls being the worst affected.
Urgent medical attention was needed, and the victims were swiftly moved to hospitals. Many were rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital on Ring Road, while others were taken to the Central Hospital and various private facilities.
There are deeply disturbing reports making the rounds that five children lost their lives at the hospital after succumbing to the effects of the gas. However, these claims remain unconfirmed as official records are still being awaited.
The Edo State Government has now broken its silence on the matter. In a statement released late at night, the government strongly rejected the ongoing narratives.
Signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, the statement dismissed the reports as sensational spins and deliberate misinformation aimed at tarnishing the administration's image.
Instead, the government attributed the chaos to the overwhelming turnout of students at the stadium. As it stands, concerns continue to grow over the safety of children at public events.
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