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Hunger protest: ophthalmologists caution against prolonged exposure to tear gas
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Hunger protest: ophthalmologists caution against prolonged exposure to tear gas
*Says, it may cause blindness
By Francesca Hangeior
Leading eye specialists have cautioned that prolonged exposure to tear gas could cause temporary blindness and other eye complications, which if left untreated could lead to permanent blindness.
They also noted that people without protective clothes and devices were at risk of cornea injuries and conjunctivitis when exposed to tear gas.
The ophthalmologists advised those exposed to tear gas to quickly rinse their eyes and affected body parts with water.
The experts’ warning and advice comes on the heels of the 10-day protest that began on August 1st and had been marred with security agents firing tear gas to disperse protesters.
Under the #Endbadgovernance and #Hungerprotests, several Nigerians in several states of the federation, have through placards and chants demonstrated their displeasure with the current economic hardship.
But the President, Bola Tinubu, in an address to the nation on Sunday, told protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue.
Tear gas is a riot control agent mostly used by law enforcement agents that temporarily constrain people by irritating the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of tear gas may cause blindness, glaucoma and respiratory failure possibly resulting in death.
However, a professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Benin, Edo State, Afekhide Omoti, stated that prolonged exposure to tear gas in an enclosed environment could cause blindness.
He, however, noted that the risk of blindness was reduced if the tear gas was used in an open environment.
The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee said, “In the normal circumstances where tear gas is used in an open environment, it will not cause blindness.
“However, if there is prolonged exposure in a closed environment, it is possible that tear gas can cause blindness,” he said.
The researcher on Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Disorders further noted that physical exertion, such as running after contact with tear gas, makes the affected persons more susceptible to severe symptoms.
Omoti said, “As far as blindness is concerned, large doses may cause temporary blindness.
However, in very unusual circumstances, and depending on the delivery system, more prolonged damage can occur.
Explosive systems, particularly those used in the military, may cause thermal, chemical, and physical damage due to the blast. If left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness. But this is not the usual type used by the anti-riot police.”
The researcher on Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Disorders further noted that tear gas might worsen the conditions of persons with corneal problems but had no effect on those with cataracts and glaucoma.
He added, “Depending on the specific chemical agent used in the tear gas and the mode of delivery, tear gas can cause a variety of eye defects which include mild features such as blepharospasm, conjunctivitis and superficial keratitis.
“More severe complications which are very unlikely include corneal stromal opacities, corneal neovascularisation, neurotrophic keratopathy, conjunctival necrosis, and pseudopterygium. These are all problems with the cornea and conjunctiva, the surface structures of the eye.
“Ordinarily, those with glaucoma should not be at higher risk of blindness from tear gas use. However, if the explosive variety is used, and as I said earlier, this is not the usual type used in our civilian crowd control, then the physical effects may increase the intraocular pressure and worsen the glaucoma or even theoretically cause blindness in terminal stages. But I must again reiterate that this is not likely.”
The ophthalmologist asserted that if these eye defects were untreated, it could cause possible complications, which could lead to blindness.
“Untreated, possible complications which will cause blindness, especially in explosive cases include corneal neovascularisation, stromal thinning, ulceration, infection and perforation. Others include secondary glaucoma, cataract formation, vitreous haemorrhage and traumatic optic neuropathy which are physical complications of the explosive which are not normally used in civilian crowd control,” Omoti said.
Also, the President of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Dr Abiola Oyeleye, stated that tear gas affects the eyes and skin of those it comes in contact with, noting that when inhaled, it affects the lining of the mouth, nose, chest, lungs and the respiratory system.
The ophthalmologist emphasised that direct exposure of tear gas to the eyes could damage the eye structures and lead to blindness.
The Medical Director of the Eye Doctors Group of Clinics, said, “So if we are specific now about the eyes, what it does, it irritates the eye, and anything that irritates the eye causes tears, and that’s where the name tear gas is from. So the eye sends a message to the brain that something is irritating me and the brain now sends a message to the tear glands saying something is irritating the eye, send tears to the eye, the tear glands now function and send tears to the eye, so it’s a response to whatever agent has caused it, that’s where the name tear gas comes from. Pp
The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment during the lavish wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Military sources revealed on Tuesday evening that the arrests followed intelligence indicating that the soldiers participated in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.
According to a top military source, the soldiers were apprehended on Tuesday morning as investigations commenced into the incident.
The source identified the arrested personnel as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
“Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.
“Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the source said.
The arrests come after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security around some of the celebrity guests.
One of the videos, which drew significant public attention, allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna while escorting her through the crowded venue.
The footage triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning why military personnel were allegedly deployed to a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.
Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held in Lekki over the weekend, attracted several prominent entertainers, social media influencers and content creators. Videos from the ceremony dominated social media platforms, with large crowds of fans and guests in attendance.
The event became one of the most talked-about celebrity occasions of the weekend, but controversy soon followed after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms managing access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in illegal deployments without official approval.
Former Governor of Edo State and National Legal Adviser of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, on Monday led the legal team of the party on a condolence visit to the party’s vice presidential candidate, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The delegation visited Amaechi to sympathise with him and his family following the death of his mother, who recently passed away.
Senator Osunbor conveyed the condolences of the party’s leadership and members, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and for God to grant the bereaved family the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The visit underscored the ADC’s spirit of solidarity and support for one of its foremost leaders during a period of mourning.
Amaechi expressed appreciation to Senator Osunbor and the delegation for taking the time to visit and stand with him and his family in their moment of grief. He thanked them for their prayers and words of encouragement.
The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has stated that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has no intention to respond to government spokespersons.
The Cardinal was reacting to the criticism from presidential spokespersons following his submission on the country’s economy and security.
The bishops had met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on July 28, 2026.
Speaking in an interview with Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu in Ogun State on Monday, Onaiyekan asserted that the Catholic Bishops have already delivered their message to the President and were only interested in whether it would influence governance.
He rejected suggestions that the bishops were speaking only for Catholics, saying their intervention was based on a moral responsibility to all Nigerians.
He said: “We didn’t go there just as Catholic bishops pushing the Catholic agenda. No. We went there as people who are with the spiritual mandate to speak to anybody in the name of God.”
On the Presidency’s reaction, Onaiyekan refused to engage in the controversy, saying, “I would not even answer that question. We have no response for them. We have spoken, and the only response we are waiting for is whether it is affecting the way they are governing.
“That some of the supporters of government and the state and spokesperson may have their own idea about what they think they should be saying on behalf of their principal, is their business, not mine.
“As for response to the things we are hearing, I don’t even have to say anything because the social media is full of response from Nigerian people and that for me is more than enough.’’
The Cardinal explained that the audience with President Tinubu was initiated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria after months of waiting for approval.
According to him, the meeting was neither intended as an evangelistic mission nor an attempt to advance the interests of the Catholic Church, but rather an opportunity to present the bishops’ concerns about governance and welfare of Nigerians as part of their pastoral responsibility.
“The Bishops visited President Tinubu last week and we requested for audience. It took some months before we were granted the audience, and we prepared to see him, and the main reason we wanted to see him was not to go on an evangelical mission.
‘’We didn’t go there to preach to him and try to see whether we could convert him to our Catholic Church, but we went there to share our views and thoughts about the government which he heads, hoping that our ideas will be taken into consideration, So that is what took us to the statehouse,” he explained.
Expressing hope that the government would remain open to further engagement on issues affecting Nigerians, the Cardinal said: “We are hoping that our meeting with the President or our dialogue with the government of Nigeria did not end with that visit.”
He added that the bishops were still expecting the government to create another opportunity for a more detailed conversation.
“We are hoping that somehow, he will invite us, not necessarily to meet him, I mean President Tinubu, but at least to open up fairness for us to give more information, more concerns that we have, than we could give in the ten-minute talk that we gave to him,” he said.
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