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Several students reportedly collapsed and were rushed to the hospital after a security operative used pepper spray during the Children’s Day celebration held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State. The incident occurred on Wednesday after confusion reportedly broke out among groups of students attending the event organised by the Edo State Government. 
According to eyewitness accounts, the situation escalated after some male students allegedly made inappropriate advances toward female students at the venue, prompting intervention from members of a private security outfit stationed inside the stadium. Reports stated that the affected students resisted the security personnel and allegedly confronted one of the bouncers, who then discharged pepper spray into the crowd in an attempt to disperse them. Unfortunately, many nearby students, including several female pupils, inhaled the substance and fainted during the chaos. 
Medical officials at the Edo Specialist Hospital confirmed that several affected students were brought in for emergency treatment after suffering breathing difficulties and reactions linked to the pepper spray. Hospital personnel disclosed that most of the students were treated and discharged later that evening, while two students remained under medical observation overnight as a precautionary measure. A staff member at the hospital reportedly described the situation as not life-threatening, assuring concerned parents that the students were recovering well. 
Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, confirmed that the security operative responsible for using the pepper spray had been detained pending further investigation. He also stated that the situation was being exaggerated in some reports and insisted that adequate safety arrangements had been put in place for the Children’s Day celebration. The incident has nonetheless sparked widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning crowd-control measures and the use of force at events involving schoolchildren. 
