The Chief Medical Director of Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, has dismissed social media reports claiming that five pupils died during the Children’s Day celebration at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Njoku made the clarification on Thursday in Benin while speaking to journalists.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some students fainted during the celebration after bouncers allegedly sprayed pepper spray to control what was described as unruly behaviour among some of the pupils.
According to NAN, the bouncers involved in the incident have since been identified and taken into custody.
Njoku said the hospital received an emergency call from the stadium and responded promptly.
“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,” she said.
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“Resuscitation measures started immediately and, to God be the glory, we recorded no casualties. The children are all stable, and we want to thank the governor for his continuous support.”
Explaining why some of the children were seen lying on the hospital floor, Njoku said it was necessary for effective resuscitation.
“We needed to place some of the children on hard surfaces to resuscitate them properly. That is why some of them were on the floor. Our priority at that point was to ensure that there was no casualty,” she explained.
She also expressed appreciation to the governor for his concern for children in the state.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo Governor’s Wife, Mrs. Edesili Anani, said she visited the hospital on a fact-finding mission over the incident.
“I have spoken with the Chief Medical Director. The children are fine and have all been discharged. We are happy and grateful to the hospital management for their swift response,” she said.
She added that although the governor was away on official duties, he had directed her to visit the hospital and assess the situation.
Anani described the incident at the Children’s Day celebration as unfortunate but thanked God for the prompt response, stressing that the safety of children remains a top priority for the state government.
Also present at the hospital were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ebomonyi.
NAN
