For the second time in less than two months, another gas leak was reported in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday, affecting over 100 students and their teachers.
The incident affected several schools, including Anglican Girls Grammar School and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, among others.
Affected students were taken to the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and other private medical facilities within the town. A video posted on Facebook showed students running out of one of the affected schools while teachers assisted those who had fainted into vehicles for medical attention.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the incident occurred less than a month after a similar case in the same town, describing this one as much worse.
“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 eyewitness said.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident, saying relevant agencies had been deployed to the affected areas.
The state government, in a statement, said air quality monitoring had recorded elevated methane levels in the area, with peak readings of approximately 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations. The commissioner said while the methane level was below the lower explosive limit, it remained environmentally significant and required investigation.
In response, the state government will activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to determine the source of the emissions, assess exposure risk, and evaluate associated gases.
Residents were advised to remain calm and avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are detected. The government also advised that symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort should be reported to nearby health facilities.
Recall that in April, no fewer than 30 students and one teacher were hospitalised after a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in the same town.
