CRPP Berates Edo Government Over Role of Private Security Firm at Children's Day Mayhem

        Screenshots of the students at Edo     Specialist Hospital                          

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has berated Edo State Government for authorizing the use of pepper spray to disperse some unruly students at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin during the commemoration of the Children's Day on May 27.

Report that some male students of a public secondary school had allegedly invaded the stadium and attempted to force themselves on female students, an action which triggered the use of pepper spray by bouncers.

During the stampede, over fifty students, mostly female, were seriously injured and collapsed just as unconfirmed reports had it that two students lost their lives.

In a statement Friday, May 29, 2026 by the national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and made available to journalists in Benin City, he demanded to know why Governor Monday Okpebholo should use non-state actors such as bouncers, operated by private security companies and not trained for large crowd control to take control of a ceremony of such magnitude.

Besides, Dr. Isibor queried why  security personnel allegedly authorized the use of tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the unruly crowd, an action which resorted in the pandemonium and the trampling of innocent students, who tried to escape from the mayhem. 

Viral videos and pictures of the  tragedy, which was perpetuated by suspected student cultists, are presently trending online, despite the vehement denial of report of death by the state government. 

Another screenshot of the injured students being rushed to the hospital in a vehicle 

The national chairman said: "CRPP demands an unreserved apology from Governor Monday Okpebholo and his government to Edo children and their parents over this avoidable calamity perpetrated by incompetent state and non-state actors.

"CRPP also demands that the state government foots the hospital bills of the victims and also give them adequate compensations commensurate to their respective losses."

Dr. Isibor said that the tragedy has again Governor Okpebholo-led government as very weak and lacking in crowd control mechanism, and its failure to protect the children, especially the girl-child.

.     Dr. Isibor                                                             

He said that the action further exposed the government that prides itself as children and youth-friendly as mere smoke screen. 

He added: "The invasion of the stadium by the students also belied Governor Okpebholo's claim to have totally obliterated cultism in the state. It is now obvious that he has much work to do on security in the state as cultism and other criminal activities still fester."