Some students reportedly collapsed during the Children’s Day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, after being affected by pepper spray.
The event on Wednesday, organised to celebrate school children in the state, turned chaotic after some male students allegedly made inappropriate advances towards female students at the venue.
A member of a private security outfit intervened, but the students were said to have regrouped and attacked the bouncer, who then sprayed pepper spray at them, affecting other students in the process.
A parent, who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel, said the behaviour of the students attracted the attention of security personnel stationed at the stadium.
He said, “The behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of the bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
It was gathered that several students, particularly females, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while many of the affected students were rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for treatment.
When our correspondent visited the hospital on Wednesday night, two students were still receiving treatment, while a medical personnel on duty said they would be discharged later that night.
“The medical emergency is not too serious. The students were brought in after inhaling the substance, but they have all been attended to and discharged.
“We have two more here, and they will be discharged this night as they have recovered fully,” the medical personnel said.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, confirmed the incident and said the security personnel who used the pepper spray had been detained.
He said all the affected students, except two, had been discharged from the hospital, adding that the remaining students were being kept under observation.
“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.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoy their day,” Ebojele said.
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