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Children Left Home Smiling… Then Ended Up In Hospital: Nigerians React To Edo Children’s Day Chaos

What was supposed to be a joyful Children’s Day celebration in Edo State reportedly turned into panic, confusion, and outrage after several students allegedly ended up in hospital following chaos at the event venue.

According to reports, the incident happened during the Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where thousands of students gathered for the annual event.

Parents had dressed their children happily for what should have been a memorable day filled with celebration and excitement.

But instead of returning home with smiles and gifts, some children reportedly suffered breathing difficulties, fainted, and required medical attention after confusion broke out inside the stadium.

The incident has now sparked massive reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning how an event involving children could allegedly spiral into such disorder.

Several social media users accused authorities of poor planning and weak crowd control, arguing that Children’s Day events should have stronger safety measures and emergency response systems in place.

The biggest public outrage appears to center around reports that pepper spray or tear gas may have contributed to the chaos after security personnel allegedly attempted to restore order during overcrowding and unrest.

Critics believe the situation reflects a larger problem with event organization and emergency preparedness in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians online expressed sympathy for the affected children and their parents, with some asking:

“What kind of incompetence is this?”

Others argued that regardless of what caused the disruption, children should never be exposed to situations that could endanger their health during a public celebration designed specifically for them.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government reportedly stated that the situation was eventually brought under control and that affected students received treatment.

However, public criticism has continued to grow online as videos and reactions circulate across social media platforms.

For many observers, the incident is no longer just about Children’s Day.

It has now become part of a larger national conversation about leadership, crowd management, public safety, and accountability.

Because in the minds of many Nigerians, one painful question remains:

How did a day meant to celebrate children reportedly end with some of them in hospital?

Watch Full Video HERE Below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUAqR7LwRx0

Edo govt clears air on Children’s Day chaos at stadium

The Edo state government on Wednesday cleared the air on the chaos that happened at the Samuel Ogbemdia Stadium during the Children Day celebration leading to students being rushed to the hospital after what is suspected to be teargas fired.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele said some students out of excitement became unruly and in the process, one of the security agencies trying to restore order released the tear gas that affected the students.

He said the personnel has been arrested for questioning.

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Some students were rushed to the Edo State Specialist Hospital where they were treated and discharged but two are said to still be on admission for them to be stabilised.

An eye witness said the chaos started when some male students said to be from Ihogbe College reportedly made compromising advances at some female students

A parent who witnessed the incident was quoted as saying that “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎According to him, the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
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‎it was gathered that in the confusion that followed, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

Part of the statement by Ebojele reads, “The stadium was filled to capacity with thousands of excited children who came to participate in the day’s activities. The turn out was unprecedented. All the entrances into the facility were opened for children to access the stadium. Some excited children resorted to unruly behaviour at one of the gates, an incident that led to some kind of stampede which necessitated one of the bouncers to deploy the use of tear gas to disperse them. In the cause of the pandemonium that ensued, few students sustained injuries.

“The Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa who was physically present at the stadium, rose to the challenge immediately assisting children with first aids; and those requiring further care were taken to the Edo Specialist Hospital where they received appropriate medical attention and are now safely back home with their families.

“The Edo State government has already authorised investigations into the incident while the bouncer involved is presently being interrogated by the Police to ascertain the immediate or remote cause of the incident. The government wishes to restate its commitment to the safety and security of all including our children. We however call on social media users to refrain from unverified narratives that could cause unnecessary panic.

“Isolated incidents at large gatherings, while regrettable, do not diminish Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to child safety and wellbeing. The Governor’s unparalleled investment in education is the reason for the huge attendance by students of different schools in the state to celebrate Children’s Day.

“We thank the security personnel, medical staff, and volunteers for their swift response and
dedication to duty. Their immediate response helped to douse the tension.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/05/edo-govt-clears-air-on-childrens-day-chaos-at-stadium/

Did I just read they used tear gas on children?
You think the Evil APC will react? No never
But once they hear criticism, you see them releasing all their chiwawas

children's day should have been canceled across the country. Schools should have told their children to remain at home in protest

things are going from worse to worst. No regards for human beings again in this country. Tinubu doesn't value us, the police doesn't value us (even children ) everybody is on their own

Wow just wow
On children's day celebration?

Nigeria police and all the armed forces are evil and inhumane GOD forbid piling up curses on this nation

Welcome to the Capital of APC, Edo State.

Expect more to come for those who still praise this evil party

Anybody that votes APC in this coming election, after all that this country has witnessed under Tinubus 3 years, will die a very painful Death ☠️☠️☠️

The ones they can't kidnap, they tear gas. What an incompetent period we are.

Mumu Bayo Onanuga, over to you!

When are you arresting the perpetrators and teaching them a lesson?

I just learnt from VDM yesterday that the word "STUPID" is not abusive.

APC government is a wicked and STUPID government!!!
BAYO ONANUGA IS A STUPID MAN!!!

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele said some students out of excitement became unruly and in the process, one of the security agencies trying to restore order released the tear gas that affected the students.

😐

Just a few days after EFCC did their own at a hospital. At this level, I won't be surprised if our security agencies go to a graveyard just to see if all of them are really dead dead

Our security operatives are just dumb and incompetent..... Under normal circumstances teargas should never be fired in such a place and why allow it to reach that level before forcing crowd control..... We sit and relax for problems to arise before we start solution finding..... That was how mr oriyomi hamzat was blamed for the stampede in ibadan even while he has been notifying security operatives about the crowd.... They claimed they were not aware until it got out of hand.......

SecuritybriefNg:
Watch Full Video HERE Below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUAqR7LwRx0




https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/05/edo-govt-clears-air-on-childrens-day-chaos-at-stadium/

This evil Party APC have succeeded in turning Nigeria to into a Kpiaing field.

smartemperor042:
Bayo Ononuga, over to you!

That old agbaya only responds to anything related to Peter Obi. He doesn't care if Nigeria burns down, once Peter Obi isn't involved he wouldn't respond

By now everyone in charge of this misfortune should be arrested

Nigerians and emotional sentiment, bro please stop this....Nigerians are not co ordinated . We need force to get sense.

We need iron hands to do the right thing, so far tear gas is the solution at the moment, use it, Mr governor, you owe no one explanation.

The last time student started misbehave during protest of Palestine in US, shey government no use force .

Abeg ...we can't eat our cakes and have it

Edo will continue to be uncivilized as long as they keep electing people like the present governor. By the way, why are the kids on the floor receiving drip?

And that edo governor carry Tinubu mandate for head like gala

Edo hasn't gotten it right with its leadership

this is wht happen whenever wrong person is in power e.g okpebolo & thief-nubu

when evil leads it always comes with it's evil wind

Who is the police man that fired the tear gas? we need to know him

by using tear gas on students .... They arent adult yet o

Muyiwaipere:
Nigerians and emotional sentiment, bro please stop this....Nigerians are not co ordinated . We need force to get sense.

We need iron hands to do the right thing, so far tear gas is the solution at the moment, use it, Mr governor, you owe no one explanation.

The last time student started misbehave during protest of Palestine in US, shey government no use force .

Abeg ...we can't eat our cakes and have it

Zionmdde:
Did I just read they used tear gas on children?
You think the Evil APC will react? No never
But once they hear criticism, you see them releasing all their chiwawas

children's day should have been canceled across the country. Schools should have told their children to remain at home in protest

things are going from worse to worst. No regards for human beings again in this country. Tinubu doesn't value us, the police doesn't value us (even children ) everybody is on their own

Of course they won't react, but just drop Vaseline for ground near their hole and mention OBI name once and move one side..you go see dem rushing out in numbers

Journalism is dead. I read and read and yet didn't see why they were tear gassed

The worst children's day celebration Nigerians have witnessed.

Country is fallen the president and commander in chief is busy pursuing is selfish interest

I will provide you with insecurity, the governor told them. He is doing it

Muyiwaipere:
Nigerians and emotional sentiment, bro please stop this....Nigerians are not co ordinated . We need force to get sense.

We need iron hands to do the right thing, so far tear gas is the solution at the moment, use it, Mr governor, you owe no one explanation.

The last time student started misbehave during protest of Palestine in US, shey government no use force .

Abeg ...we can't eat our cakes and have it

Fool-ish Thing!.

#WorstCommentAwardGoesToYou!🏆

At this point in time some parents decided to take the risk and allow their kids attend such an event? Just few days after the sad event in Oyo? Sadly, the incompetent government tried to kill them this time instead of those animals in the bush. Why releasing tear gas where thousands of kids are gathered? I can imagine the stampede.
Hope no one dies. This evil party has enveloped the whole nation in darkness and sorrow yet they don't want t go.

Tear gasing children on children day.

Oh
Sorry
Lacks of proper planning