By Desire Emmanuel
Three bouncers who discharged pepper spray during Children’s Day celebration that affected several children at a stadium in Edo State have been arrested by men of the state police command as well as the alleged seller of the spray.
The state police command announced the arrest in a statement on Monday, June 1, while warning on the unauthorised used of teargas canisters, pepper spray and other items by various private security groups including bouncers, vigilantes, among others.
The names of those arrested were given as Ifeanyi John Paul, aged 36 years; Ola Ibikunle, aged 46 years and Onoha Chukwuoji, aged 33 years while the name of the alleged seller was given as Mrs Rebecca Hassan.
It was gathered that the bouncers, who were contracted to provide security on May 27 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, discharged the pepper spray apparently when some persons became unruly within the stadium premises.
The discharge made many children to become uncomfortable while some were said to have lost consciousness and were rushed to a hospital. The incident was eventually reported at the command.
Following investigation into the incident, the three bouncers were eventually arrested while the woman supplier was equally apprehended after the bouncers named her as the person who supplied them the item.
They were said to have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for more investigation into the incident.
“The command views the unauthorized use of such devices as assault, or acts capable of causing grievous harm, and in certain circumstances, death. Consequently, unlawful possession of these items with intent to commit felony and other related offences is viewed as criminal under the law.
“In view of the foregoing, the Edo State Police Command hereby issues a stern warning to all individuals, private security personnel, bouncers, vigilante groups, and unauthorized organisations in possession of pepper spray, tear-gas, or related restricted security equipment to immediately desist from such unlawful possession and usage,” the command said in the statement.
