Chaos erupted on yesterday during the Children’s Day celebration organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event, which was organised to celebrate school children across the State, was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

A parent who identify himself Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

According to Oboh, that the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

New Telegraph 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.

Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.