Chaos at Edo Children’s Day Event as Stampede Leaves Dozens Hospitalised

What was meant to be a joyful Children’s Day celebration in Edo State turned chaotic on Wednesday after several students were hospitalised following a stampede at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The incident reportedly began after security bouncers deployed pepper spray during a confrontation involving students attending the event organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education.

Eyewitnesses said panic erupted inside the packed stadium after some male students allegedly made aggressive advances towards female students during the programme. The male students, reportedly from Ihogbe College, were said to have been confronted and reprimanded by bouncers stationed at the venue.

However, tensions escalated shortly afterwards when the affected students allegedly regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to confusion in the crowded arena. In an attempt to control the situation, one of the bouncers reportedly discharged pepper spray into an area occupied by a large number of students. The substance quickly spread through the crowd, causing many students to choke, faint and scramble for safety.

As panic intensified, students, teachers and parents were seen running in different directions, leading to multiple injuries during the stampede. Videos circulating online showed several affected students lying on the floor at the Edo Specialist Hospital while nurses and emergency responders attended to them after ambulances evacuated victims from the stadium. Some parents were also seen in distress as they searched for their children amid the confusion.

Confirming the incident, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Ebojele, disclosed that the individual responsible for using the pepper spray had been detained. According to him, most of the affected students had already been discharged from hospital.

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

He also dismissed reports suggesting the incident was more severe than officially presented. “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.

The incident has since sparked concerns over crowd control and safety management at large public events involving children and students.