More than 30 schoolchildren have been admitted to hospital after they inhaled teargas from canisters fired by anti-riot police during a morning drill in Nigeria’s south-western Osun State, local media reports.

The students from Fakunle Comprehensive School were reportedly rushed to two different hospitals for urgent medical attention after losing consciousness.

The incident sparked panic as some parents quickly picked up their children after the school authorities were advised to close for the day.

Osun police spokesperson Yemisi Opalola apologised for the incident and said the officers would make the “necessary adjustments” to prevent a recurrence.