A suspected gas leak disrupted activities at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Wednesday, leaving several students hospitalised and prompting fresh concerns over recurring air pollution incidents in the area.
The incident reportedly began when a strong, unpleasant odour spread across the school premises, causing discomfort and breathing difficulties among students and staff.
Although the exact number of affected persons had not been confirmed at the time of filing this report, those impacted were taken to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, where they received treatment.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident and said the government had launched an investigation to determine the source of the emission.
“Yes, it happened yesterday,” Oresanya said. “We are currently investigating the cause and will release an official statement once our findings are ready.”
The latest case is the third suspected gas emission incident to affect schools in Ijebu-Ode within the last two months, raising growing concerns among residents, parents and education stakeholders.
A similar incident occurred on April 1 at the same school, when more than 30 students were hospitalised after inhaling fumes that caused breathing difficulties. At the time, officials suspected the emissions may have originated from nearby carbide cylinders.
Following an inspection, state authorities also identified a bush close to the school as a possible source of the fumes.
Just six weeks later, on May 15, another suspected gas leak affected Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode. The incident reportedly caused several students to faint, leading to panic within the community. The affected students were also taken to the General Hospital for medical attention.
In response to the repeated incidents, Oresanya said the state government had assembled a multi-agency team made up of environmental regulators, emergency management personnel and air quality experts to investigate the situation.
According to him, the team has been tasked with identifying the source of the emissions, assessing the level of exposure and determining any potential health risks to students and residents in the affected communities.
“The team is investigating the source of the emissions, evaluating the extent of exposure, and monitoring gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other atmospheric pollutants that may pose health risks,” the commissioner said.
