100 Ogun student hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas

Over 100 students across several secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, have been hospitalised following the fresh case of gas leak in the areas. 
 

It was gathered that the students were hospitalised on Wednesday, October 21, at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, and other healthcare facilities. 

Sources said the worst-hit schools include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, and Itamerin Comprehensive High School, Ago-Iwoye, among others. 

Videos shared on social media show some students fainting and being rushed to hospitals after inhaling the toxic substance. 

A teacher at one of the affected schools said the incident occurred at about 10 a.m. 

The teacher said: “The students and staff started inhaling the gas and began having difficulty breathing. Some fainted and were subsequently rushed to hospitals.” 

“Some schools in Ago-Iwoye had to close for the day around 11 a.m. as the situation became increasingly horrible and unbearable. The worst-hit schools include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode. 

“Some parents who heard about the unfortunate incident also came to pick up their children because nobody knows what is happening. We even heard that this gas leak has been occurring since April, sending hundreds of students to hospitals whenever it appears unexpectedly. 

“We are all anxious about our health and that of our students. I think it is taking the government too long to get to the root of this mysterious and potentially deadly gas leak. The government has to act quickly to address the situation before it is too late.” 

This is the fourth time this year an incident like this has been recorded in Ogun State. 

The first incident, in April, affected about 40 students, while more than 120 students were reportedly hospitalised following another exposure in May. At least 69 students were hospitalised on June 1 after another occurrence of the gas leak, which the government subsequently identified as methane. 

Speaking about the gas leak incidents in June, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the state government, through the Ministries of Environment and Health, was working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the root cause of the emissions. 

He said at the time: “Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighbouring schools. What is interesting is that the gas pollution occurred at about the same time in the affected schools—about three schools altogether—and this happened on two separate occasions. 

“Following the first occurrence, we installed gas analysers across the schools to determine the nature and concentration of the gas, which has now been confirmed to be methane. 

“Preliminary findings suggest that there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions. We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation.” 

After the recent incident on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said, “We are on top of the situation.” 

The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, Kehinde Bello, visited the affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo to assess the situation, according to DailyTrust. 

Bello disclosed that the latest occurrence was linked to underground gas emissions that had previously been recorded in Ijebu-Ode since April 2026. 

He said the situation was under control, adding that the government would find a lasting solution to the problem. 

According to Bello, 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. 

Bello urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical attention. 

He further advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.