The Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of some schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo following another suspected gas emission incident that reportedly left more than 100 pupils hospitalised.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, triggered panic among pupils, teachers and parents after several students and staff reportedly experienced breathing difficulties, with some collapsing and requiring urgent medical attention.
The affected pupils were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other healthcare facilities across the affected communities.
Among the schools reportedly worst affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and some schools in Ago-Iwoye.
A video circulating on social media showed pupils reportedly fainting and being rushed for medical attention following the incident.
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The latest development has renewed concerns about the recurring gas emissions in parts of Ijebu, with residents and education stakeholders calling on the state government to urgently identify the source and prevent further exposure.
Pupils, Teachers Experience Breathing Difficulties
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10 a.m. when pupils and staff started experiencing breathing difficulties.
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According to the teacher, some of the affected individuals subsequently collapsed and had to be rushed to nearby hospitals.
“The pupils and staff started inhaling the gas and began to have difficulty breathing. Some of them fainted and were rushed to hospitals,” the teacher said.
The teacher added that some schools in Ago-Iwoye were forced to close at about 11 a.m. as the situation worsened.
“The worst-hit schools include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode. Some parents who heard about the incident also came to pick up their children because nobody knew what was happening,” the teacher added.
The teacher expressed concern over the repeated incidents, noting that schools in the affected areas had reportedly experienced similar emissions since April.
The teacher called on the government to intensify efforts to determine the cause of the emissions and implement a lasting solution to protect pupils, teachers and other residents.
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“We are all anxious about our health and that of our pupils. I think it is taking the government too long to get to the root of this mysterious gas leakage. The government has to do something quickly before it gets too late,” the teacher said.
Fourth Reported Incident Since April
Wednesday’s occurrence was reported to be the fourth incident involving suspected gaseous emissions in the Ijebu area since April, raising fresh questions about the safety of schools and surrounding communities.
In April, about 40 pupils were reportedly affected by the emissions. Another incident in May allegedly resulted in more than 120 pupils being hospitalised, while a further occurrence on June 1 reportedly left 69 pupils requiring medical attention.
Schools previously affected included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin, among others.
The repeated incidents have heightened fears among parents and teachers, particularly as the precise source of the emissions has yet to be conclusively established in the information available.
Government Investigates Source of Gas Emissions
Following an earlier occurrence, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the state government was working with relevant agencies and experts to determine the cause of the emissions.
The agencies involved reportedly include the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The governor also disclosed that gas analysers had been installed in affected schools following the initial incident, while preliminary findings pointed to methane as the substance involved.
However, the precise source of the emissions and the circumstances behind their recurrence remain matters requiring further investigation.
In June, Abiodun said preliminary findings suggested that geological factors, including possible fault lines in the affected locations, could be responsible for the phenomenon.
“Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions,” the governor said.
“We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,” he added.
Government Says Situation Is Under Control
When contacted on Wednesday, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was on top of the situation.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, Kehinde Bello, also visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo following the latest incident.
Bello linked the occurrence to underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area and assured residents that the government was working towards finding a lasting solution.
According to him, government investigations had indicated that the phenomenon was a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
He urged residents to remain calm, adding that the affected pupils were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.
Bello also advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.
However, the exact composition and source of the emissions remain critical to determining the appropriate safety measures for affected schools and communities.
Parents Demand Lasting Solution
The recurring incidents have intensified calls for urgent government intervention, with parents and teachers concerned about the potential health risks to schoolchildren and other residents.
The latest school closures highlight the need for timely investigation, transparent communication with the public and effective measures to prevent further exposure.
As of the time of filing this report, medical personnel were attending to affected pupils at various hospitals.
Residents are awaiting further updates on the condition of the affected pupils, the findings of ongoing investigations and the measures the state government will implement to ensure the safety of schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo.
With several reported incidents occurring within a few months, stakeholders are calling for a definitive explanation of the emissions and a sustainable solution to prevent another recurrence.
