Panic as gas emissions leave hundreds of students hospitalised in Ogun

There has been another fresh case of the offensive smell of gases that has affected secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, and Ago-Iwoye, where some of the students have been hospitalized.

This incident marks the fourth one that has happened in the year and happened on Wednesday morning. This incident has affected students in Anglican Girls Grammar School, both the public and private versions of the school in Obalende and Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School.

It was learnt that several students were taken to the general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo for medical attention, while the odour disrupted academic activities in Ago-Iwoye, prompting some schools to close abruptly and send pupils home.

The development triggered panic as parents and teachers stormed hospitals to check on their wards.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Orensaya, confirmed the incident, saying the government is on top of the situation.

However, the General Manager Ogun State Environmental Agency, OGEPA, Kehinde Bello, who was on ground to assess the situation in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, disclosed that the latest occurrence was linked to underground gas emissions previously recorded in Ijebu-Ode since April 2026.

Bello said investigations indicated it was a natural occurrence linked to geological and tectonic fault lines, not sabotage or a pipeline leak, and advised exposed residents to cover their noses with wet handkerchiefs.

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

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

Medical personnel were attending to affected students at the general hospitals as of the time of filing this report.

Recall that the gas emission crisis started in early April 2026 at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, OLAS, Ijebu-Ode, when about 30 students and teachers were hospitalised after inhaling a strange gaseous substance shortly after morning assembly.

Governor Dapo Abiodun had ordered the immediate closure of the school while investigations continued, with subsequent outbreaks recorded in May and June affecting Anglican Girls Grammar School.