The Edo State Government has clarified the incident that occurred during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, dismissing what it described as misleading social media narratives.

In a statement yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the government rejected sensational interpretations, misinformation, and deliberate attempts to twist the incident to tarnish the administration’s reputation.

According to the statement, the stadium was filled to capacity with thousands of excited children from different schools across the state who came to participate in the Children’s Day activities.

Ebojele said the turnout was unprecedented, adding that all entrances into the facility were opened to allow the children access to the stadium.

He explained that some excited children became unruly at one of the gates, leading to a stampede-like situation. He said the incident prompted one of the bouncers at the venue to deploy tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

The statement noted that a few students sustained injuries during the pandemonium that followed. Ebojele disclosed that the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, who was physically present at the stadium, responded immediately by providing first aid to affected children.

He added that those who required further medical attention were taken to the Edo Specialist Hospital, where they received appropriate treatment and were later discharged to reunite with their families.

Ebojele said the state government had already authorised an investigation into the incident, while the bouncer involved was being interrogated by the police to ascertain the immediate and remote causes.

The government also appealed to social media users and the public to refrain from spreading unverified narratives that could create unnecessary panic.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr Anthonia Njoku, has clarified social media reports alleging that five pupils died during the incident.

Njoku made the clarification yesterday in Benin, while addressing newsmen. Njoku said: “We were called in for an emergency response to the stadium. We responded swiftly and appropriately to some of the children, who were evacuated by our ambulance to our facility.

“Resuscitation measures started immediately, and to God be the glory, we have no casualty; the children are all stable, and we want to thank our governor for his continuous support.”