Chaos erupted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Wednesday after several students reportedly sustained injuries during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration following the deployment of pepper spray at the venue.
The event, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education, was disrupted after panic broke out among students, teachers and parents, leading to a stampede within the crowded stadium.
Witnesses said a number of students, mostly females, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others suffered injuries after being trampled in the confusion that followed.
Some of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for treatment.
A source at the venue disclosed that the incident began after some male students of Ihogbe College in Benin City allegedly harassed female students during the programme.
According to the source, the situation attracted the attention of operatives of a local security outfit popularly known as bouncers, who attempted to restore order.
A parent, Oboh Emmanuel, alleged that the confrontation escalated after some students reportedly turned against the bouncers and attacked them.
He claimed that amid the unrest, pepper spray was released in an area crowded with students, triggering panic and a scramble for safety.
Reacting to the incident, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dismissed reports suggesting that a large number of children collapsed during the event.
Afegbua clarified that the substance was discharged by a bouncer and not by security personnel as earlier reported in some quarters.
He also stated that the Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, intervened promptly to prevent the situation from degenerating further.