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Another gas leak reportedly left over 100 students and their teachers hospitalised in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Friday.
In April, about 30 students of Our Lady Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode, hospitalised following a suspected gas leak that occurred in the school.
The latest incident reportedly affected some of the schools including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu Ode, among other public schools.
The affected students were said to have been rushed to the state hospital and other private medical facilities in the town.
A video posted on Facebook had shown how the students of one of the affected schools were running away from the school while the teachers were trying to help some of the students who fainted into a vehicle to go get medical care.
One of the teachers had called on the government and members of the public to come around and help with the unexpected emergency.
An eyewitness described the second gas leak incident as scary.
The witness said, “I am right now at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and I can tell you that the previous gas leak which happened last month is a child play when compared to this one. The whole hospital here is full and some parents have even taken their children to private hospitals for treatment.
“The affected students are complaining of stomach ache and they are weak. This incident also affected multiple schools and over 100 students are said to be affected”.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident.
“I am aware of the situation, and necessary action is being taken by the Ministry of Education, OGEPA, security agents, and the local government,” he said.
It was gathered that the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, have also been going around to assess the situation and ensure that all that were affected get relevant medical care
Meanwhile, the state government in a statement by Oresanya said that the Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School has recorded elevated methane (CH4) concentrations within its monitoring coverage area in Ijebu Ode, with peak readings of approximately 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.
He explained that the deployment of the Air Quality Minitoring device at Ijebu Ode Grammar School forms part of the State’s continuous environmental surveillance programme designed to provide early detection of abnormal air quality conditions and support timely public health interventions.
The Commissioner stated that “while the recorded methane concentration is below the lower explosive limit, the level is considered environmentally significant and requires immediate technical investigation and precautionary response.
“In response, the State Government will activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team comprising environmental regulators, emergency response services, and technical air quality experts to:
determine the source of the emissions, assess spatial extent and exposure risk, and evaluate associated gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other relevant air quality parameters.
“Residents are advised to remain calm and continue normal activities, while avoiding open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are detected.
“Any symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort should be promptly reported to nearby health facilities.
“The Ogun State Government remains fully committed to safeguarding lives, public health, and environmental integrity. Further verified updates will be communicated as investigations progress”.
