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(See Video) SS2 Student Creates stampede in Rivers School after Opening Teargas Canister
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Many students were injured on Thursday at the Community Secondary School, Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when an unidentified student allegedly opened a teargas canister in the classroom.
Some of the students, who were almost choked by the smoke from the canister, were seen in a video clip that has gone viral, jumping from the first floor of two storey building housing the secondary school.
It was learnt that the 17-year-old student in SS 2 got the teargas canister from the room of his late father who was a policeman.
The teargas canister was said to have exploded and the sound sent students jumping down from the first floor, while those at the top floor were seen in the video running for safety.
The incident, according to a source, happened in the morning and forced everybody out of the school premises for the entire day.
It was gathered that several students sustained various degrees of injuries as they frantically tried to escape from the two-storey classrooms block as smoke covered the entire floor.
An eyewitness, identified only as Nene, told SUNDAY PUNCH that some of the students, who jumped from the first floor fractured their bones.
Nene added that most of the victims were still hospitalised in a nearby private clinic.
She said, “An SS 2 male student opened a teargas canister in their classroom and out of fear; the students started jumping off the first floor. Many were injured and are still in Ana clinic, which is just close to the school. The hospital management had insisted that the parents of the injured students admitted in the hospital should pay their bills before they can discharge.”
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, told The Punch that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area, informed him that an SS2 students brought a teargas canister to the school.
Omoni explained that the teargas canister was kept in a room by the student’s late father.
He said, “The boy and some of his classmates began to fiddle with the canister before it exploded while they were in the classroom. The boy has been arrested and investigation is ongoing.”
Omoni, however, dismissed the claim in some quarters that the incident was cult-related.
The Punch
Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic extra-time winner as England overcame an unfortunate Norway to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Bellingham slid home the winning goal in the first half of extra time after a second Norway goal was ruled out by the VAR for an Erling Haaland foul.
Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead, but Bellingham equalised with a brilliant finish — although England were fortunate the goal stood after the ball struck the Spidercam during the build-up.
England rode their luck at times but will now face either Switzerland or old rivals Argentina as they seek to reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1966.
New York Times
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed relief and joy over the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“It is such a big relief for all of us. Right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much,” the governor told Channels Television.
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed delight over the successful rescue of abducted children and teachers, commending the military, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force for ending their 56-day captivity.
The President said the security operation led to the arrest of eight suspected abductors while several others were neutralised, describing the outcome as a major relief for the victims, their families and the nation.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the security agencies for what he described as their tireless efforts in securing the victims’ release.
He also sympathised with the children, teachers and their families over the trauma they endured during the prolonged ordeal
The President further commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support as they recover from the ordeal.
The schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued after about 56 days in captivity.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the victims were freed through the efforts of security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said.
He disclosed that eight members of the kidnapping gang were arrested during the rescue operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Onanuga said the rescue operation did not involve any exchange or concession to the kidnappers, noting that a notorious gang leader whose release had been demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
He added that security agencies would provide a full account of the operation soon.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release was demanded by the kidnappers, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” he added.
In a video shared alongside the statement, a woman believed to be one of the rescued teachers was seen thanking President Bola Tinubu for securing their release. The schoolchildren were also seen eating biscuits and joining the teacher in chanting, “Thank you, sir,” at the end of her remarks.
“Hello sir, our father, we are grateful. Mr President, sir, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us. We could see your hand in this. Thank you very much. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive today. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much,” the teacher said.
