The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has condemned the Children’s Day stampede that occurred at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The incident, which reportedly left scores of students injured during the Children’s Day celebration organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education, according to the coalition has, exposed serious lapses in security and event management.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, CRPP, described the incident as avoidable and a reflection of poor crowd control by the Edo State government led by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He alleged that some male students from a government secondary school allegedly attempted to force to make uncompromising advances towards some female students.
The group said the development reportedly triggered the use of pepper spray by bouncers at the stadium, leading to panic and a stampede as students struggled to escape.
”Over 50 students, mostly female, reportedly sustained injuries and collapsed during the incident, while unconfirmed reports claimed that two students lost their lives,” Isibor stated.
CRPP said despite attempts by the government to downplay the incident, videos and photographs from the scene had gone viral on social media.
The coalition questioned why non-state actors such as private bouncers were allegedly deployed to manage security at an event involving thousands of students, adding that the reported use of pepper spray and tear gas worsened the situation.
The coalition therefore demanded an unreserved apology from Governor Okpebholo and the Edo State government to the affected students and their parents over what it described as an avoidable stampede.
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