GAS EMISSION HITS OGUN SCHOOLS, STUDENTS HOSPITALISED

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

A fresh outbreak of a strange gas odour has affected secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye areas of Ogun State, resulting in the hospitalisation of several students.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, marking the fourth reported occurrence of the gas emission crisis in the state this year.

Affected schools include Anglican Girls Grammar School, covering its public and private sections in Obalende, Ijebu-Ode, and Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School.

According to reports, several students were rushed to general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo for medical attention. The incident also disrupted academic activities in Ago-Iwoye, forcing some schools to close unexpectedly and send students home.

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The development sparked panic among parents and teachers, many of whom rushed to hospitals to check on affected students.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident when contacted, assuring the public that the government was taking necessary steps to address the situation.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, who visited the affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, linked the latest incident to underground gas emissions previously recorded in Ijebu-Ode since April 2026.

Bello explained that preliminary investigations suggested the emissions were a natural phenomenon associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, ruling out sabotage or a pipeline leak.

He advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than nose masks. He also urged residents to remain calm, expressing optimism that the affected students would recover after receiving medical treatment.

Medical personnel were attending to the affected students at the general hospitals as of the time of filing this report.

The gas emission crisis reportedly began in early April 2026 at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School (OLAS), Ijebu-Ode, when about 30 students and teachers were hospitalised after inhaling an unidentified gaseous substance shortly after the morning assembly.

Following the incident, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun ordered the immediate closure of the school pending investigations.

Further outbreaks were subsequently recorded in May and June, affecting Anglican Girls Grammar School.