Tear gas triggers stampede at Benin City children's event

A stampede triggered by the use of tear gas at a crowded Children's Day celebration in Benin City, Edo State, has resulted in multiple students being hospitalized, though officials deny any fatalities. The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during an event organized by the state's Ministry of Education.

According to witness accounts and a government statement, the disturbance began when some male students from Ihogbe College allegedly made inappropriate advances toward female students at the venue. Bouncers, engaged for crowd control, intervened to rebuke the male students. Officials stated that the rebuked students later regrouped and confronted the bouncers, leading to a scuffle within the densely packed arena.

In response to the confrontation, one of the bouncers deployed a chemical irritant, described by sources as either tear gas or pepper spray, directly into the crowd. The action caused immediate panic, with students, teachers, and parents scrambling for safety. Several students, particularly girls, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries in the ensuing stampede.

Many of the affected children were...