Edo probes students’ collapse during Children’s Day celebration

The Edo State Government has ordered an investigation into reports of students collapsing during the Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Governor Monday Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Patrick Ebojele, in a statement, described some reports surrounding the incident as misleading. The statement said the government had already authorised an investigation into the […]

The Edo State Government has ordered an investigation into reports of students collapsing during the Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Governor Monday Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Patrick Ebojele, in a statement, described some reports surrounding the incident as misleading.

The statement said the government had already authorised an investigation into the incident, while the bouncer involved is currently being interrogated by the police to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident.

It alleged that some reports were deliberately twisted to portray the government in a bad light.

“We hereby reject the sensational interpretations, spins, twists and misinformation that were dubiously orchestrated to give the government a bad name,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the stadium was filled to capacity with thousands of excited children who came to participate in the celebration, while all entrances into the facility were opened to allow easy access.

Ebojele explained that some excited children became unruly at one of the gates, leading to a stampede-like situation, which prompted one of the bouncers to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd.

“In the course of the pandemonium that ensued, a few students sustained injuries,” he said.

He added that the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, who was physically present at the stadium, immediately intervened by assisting affected children with first aid treatment.

He said those requiring further medical attention were taken to the Edo Specialist Hospital, where they received appropriate care and have since reunited safely with their families.