Pupils and educators rushed to hospital after another gas leak incident strikes schools in Ogun

In a disturbing repeat incident, another gas leak has been reported in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, for the second time in less than two months, with over 100 students and teachers affected on Friday.

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The leak had a widespread impact, affecting several schools, including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu Ode, among others.

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Affected students were rushed to the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and other private medical facilities in the town for treatment, highlighting the severity of the situation.

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A video shared on Facebook captured the chaotic scene, showing students fleeing one of the affected schools while teachers helped those who had fainted into vehicles to receive medical attention.

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A teacher urgently called on authorities and the public to provide assistance in responding to the emergency, underscoring the need for immediate action.

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An eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the incident occurred less than a month after a similar case in the same town, saying the current situation is far more severe.

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The eyewitness described the scene at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, stating that the hospital was filled to capacity, with some parents opting to take their children to private hospitals for treatment.

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According to the eyewitness, the affected students were complaining of stomach ache and weakness, with the incident affecting multiple schools and over 100 students.

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Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident, stating that relevant agencies had been deployed to the affected areas to address the situation.

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Commissioner Oresanya noted that the Ministry of Education, OGEPA, security agents, and the local government were taking necessary action to respond to the emergency.

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Officials, including Ijebu Ode Local Government Chairman Dare Alebiosu and OGEPA Managing Director Kenny Bello, visited the affected areas to assess the situation and ensure victims received medical care.

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In a statement released on Friday, the state government, through Commissioner Oresanya, revealed that air quality monitoring had detected elevated methane levels in the area, with peak readings of approximately 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.

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The monitoring system, part of the state's environmental surveillance programme, allows for early detection of abnormal air quality conditions, enabling prompt response to potential threats.

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Commissioner Oresanya stated that while the methane level was below the lower explosive limit, it remained environmentally significant and required investigation to determine the source and extent of the emissions.

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The state government will activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to investigate the source of the emissions, assess exposure risk, and evaluate associated gases and air quality parameters.

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Residents were advised to remain calm, continue with normal activities, and avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are detected to minimize risks.

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The government also urged residents to report symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort to nearby health facilities to ensure prompt medical attention.

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The Ogun State Government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives, public health, and environmental integrity, promising to provide further updates as investigations progress.

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A similar incident in April had seen no fewer than 30 students and one teacher hospitalized after a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu Ode, which occurred shortly after morning assembly.

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The April incident caused widespread panic as a gaseous substance spread across the school premises, leaving students and staff struggling to breathe, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and prompt response to such emergencies.