Students collapse during Children’s Day celebration in Edo

There was panic at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Wednesday, as some students reportedly collapsed following a stampede during the Children’s Day celebration organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education. The stampede was triggered by the use of pepper spray by bouncers following unruly behaviour by some male students towards female students during the […]

There was panic at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Wednesday, as some students reportedly collapsed following a stampede during the Children’s Day celebration organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education.

The stampede was triggered by the use of pepper spray by bouncers following unruly behaviour by some male students towards female students during the celebration.

It was gathered that some male students of Ihogbe College reportedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue, a development that attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium, who rebuked the male students.

A parent, who identified himself as Oboh, said the rebuked students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded area.

He said, in a bid to put the situation under control, the bouncer deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students, leading to some students reportedly fainting after inhaling the substance.

Following the incident, students, teachers and parents reportedly scampered for safety, leading to many students, especially females, sustaining injuries.

Daily Trust learnt that many of the students, who sustained injuries, were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

The state government was yet to officially respond to the incident at the time of filing this report.