Nigeria: Edo gov’t explains children’s day stadium chaos

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The Edo State Government has addressed the chaos that erupted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, confirming that several students were rushed to hospital after teargas was discharged by a security operative trying to restore order.

In a statement released on Wednesday, May 28, 2026, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, said the incident occurred when some students became unruly out of excitement during the event. According to the government, a security personnel deployed to manage the crowd fired teargas, which affected the children and led to panic and hospitalizations. The officer involved has since been arrested and is being questioned.

The clarification comes amid widespread reports and social media videos showing children coughing, crying, and being assisted out of the stadium as medical personnel attended to those affected.

Children’s Day in Nigeria is marked annually on May 27 with parades, cultural displays, and activities organized for schoolchildren. In Edo State, the main event was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, which has long served as the venue for major state celebrations.

Eyewitnesses said the program began smoothly, with pupils from various schools across the state taking part in march pasts and performances. However, as the event progressed, excitement among some students escalated into disorderly behavior. Dr. Ebojele explained that the students “out of excitement became unruly,” leading security agencies on duty to intervene.

It was during this intervention that teargas was fired. The gas spread quickly through the stadium, causing children to cough, struggle to breathe, and flee in different directions. Videos circulated online showed teachers and parents rushing to assist affected children, while medical teams provided first aid at the scene.

Several students were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. While the government has not released an exact number of those hospitalized, it said all affected children were receiving care and that no fatalities had been recorded.

Dr. Ebojele, in the statement issued on behalf of Governor Okpebholo, expressed regret over the incident and assured parents that the situation was being addressed. He said:

“The Edo State Government is aware of the incident that occurred during the Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. We understand the concern of parents and guardians, and we want to clarify what happened.

“During the event, some students, out of excitement, became unruly. In the process of restoring order, one of the security agencies deployed at the venue discharged teargas, which unfortunately affected the students. The personnel involved has been arrested and is currently undergoing questioning.”

The government also said it was reviewing the deployment of security at public events involving children to prevent a recurrence. It urged parents not to panic, stressing that the children were being attended to and that the state remained committed to their safety.

Governor Okpebholo, who was not present at the stadium during the incident, was briefed shortly after it occurred. The governor reportedly directed the Ministry of Health and the Edo State Hospitals Management Agency to ensure that all affected children received prompt medical attention at no cost to their families.

The incident sparked anger and concern among parents and residents, many of whom questioned why teargas would be used in a gathering of children. On social media, videos of children coughing and struggling to breathe drew condemnation, with calls for accountability and improved crowd management at public events.

Some parents who spoke to reporters outside the hospitals said their children had not been involved in any unruly behavior and were simply caught in the crossfire when the teargas was fired. Others criticized the lack of clear communication from organizers during the chaos.

Civil society groups and child rights advocates have also weighed in, urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation and to sanction any officer found to have acted recklessly. They argue that children’s events require trained personnel who understand how to manage crowds without resorting to force or chemical agents.

The Edo incident has reopened debate about how best to manage large gatherings of schoolchildren. Children’s Day celebrations across Nigeria often bring together thousands of pupils in stadiums and open fields, creating logistical and security challenges.

Security experts note that teargas is generally discouraged in environments with children, the elderly, or people with respiratory conditions due to the risk of panic and health complications. Alternative crowd control methods, such as physical barriers, trained marshals, and clear public address communication, are usually recommended.

The fact that a security operative resorted to teargas suggests either a lack of training, poor coordination, or an overreaction to the situation. The ongoing questioning of the officer involved is expected to shed light on what protocols were in place and whether they were followed.

All affected children are receiving treatment, and the government has assured that no bills will be charged to parents.

 The arrested security operative is being questioned to determine the circumstances that led to the discharge of teargas. Findings will determine further disciplinary or legal action.

The government said it would review security arrangements for future children’s events, including training for personnel and the use of non-lethal, child-appropriate crowd control methods.

Children’s Day is meant to be a celebration of childhood, education, and the future of the country. In Edo, the event traditionally features cultural performances, quizzes, and awards for outstanding pupils. This year’s edition was intended to showcase talent and bring joy to children across the state.

Instead, the teargas incident has cast a shadow over the celebration and raised serious questions about safety planning. For many parents, the priority now is ensuring their children recover fully and that such an incident does not happen again.

Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office in 2024, has positioned education and child welfare as key priorities of his administration. The handling of this incident will likely be viewed as a test of the government’s commitment to those priorities.

As the investigation continues, Edo residents will be watching to see what measures the government puts in place to prevent a repeat. For the children who experienced the chaos, the hope is that the trauma is short-lived and that next year’s Children’s Day can be celebrated without fear.

The state government has promised transparency and accountability. If followed through, the review of security protocols and the outcome of the questioning of the arrested operative will be crucial in restoring public confidence.