There was chaos in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Tuesday as 35 pupils of Fakunle Comprehensive School, Osogbo, were hospitalised after inhaling teargas fired by some riot policemen.
According to reports, the pupils became unconscious after inhaling the teargas and they were rushed to two different hospitals for urgent medical attention.
According to newsmen, the trouble started when riot policemen attached to PMF 39 Base, Osogbo, were undergoing their morning drill within the premises of the base, and fired several teargas during the process.
A source in the school, who preferred not to be named because he was not permitted to talk to journalists told newsmen that the pupils were already in their various classes when teargas fired by the riot policemen spread into the premises around 9am.
It was further learnt that some of the pupils lost consciousness, after inhaling the gas, and were rushed to a private hospital located near the school for treatment, while others were taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, by operatives of the Osun Ambulance Scheme that responded to a distress call from the school.
Also, a parent who identified himself simply as Gideon told newsmen that he was directed to check the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo for his daughter, who was said to have been affected by the teargas.
He said “When I got here, I was told to check UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for my daughter. The pupils have been sent home after about 20 of them lost consciousness after inhaling teargas fired by the men of the MOPOL Base here”.
The State Police Spokesperson Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident. According to her, the riot policemen were engaging in their usual morning drills. She also apologised to those that were affected.
She said “I just spoke to the people at the MOPOL Base. They were just engaging in their morning drills which involved the use of teargas. We apologise for the inconvenience. There will be necessary adjustments in operation since the base is now close to where other people also operate their businesses.”
