For the second time in less than two months, another gas leak was reported in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, on Friday, affecting over 100 students and their teachers.
The incident affected several schools, including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu Ode; 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.
A teacher called on authorities and members of the public to assist in responding to the emergency.
An eyewitness, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred less than a month after a similar case in the same town.
“I am right now at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and I can tell you that the previous gas leak which happened last month is a child’s play when compared to this one. 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.
“I am aware of the situation, and necessary action is being taken by the Ministry of Education, OGEPA, security agents, and the local government,” he said.
Officials, including the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, were seen visiting affected areas to assess the situation and ensure victims received medical care.
The state government, in a Friday statement issued by Oresanya, said air quality monitoring had recorded elevated methane levels in the area.
“The Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School has recorded elevated methane (CH4) concentrations within its monitoring coverage area in Ijebu Ode, with peak readings of approximately 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations,” the statement said.
It added that the monitoring system forms part of the state’s environmental surveillance programme for early detection of abnormal air quality conditions.
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 comprising environmental regulators, emergency response services, and technical air quality experts to determine the source of the emissions, assess spatial extent and exposure risk, and evaluate associated gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other relevant air quality parameters,” he said.
Residents were advised to remain calm and continue normal activities, while avoiding 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.
The Ogun State Government said it remained committed to safeguarding lives, public health, and environmental integrity, adding that further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.
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, Ijebu Ode.
The incident, which occurred shortly after morning assembly, caused panic as a gaseous substance spread across the school premises, leaving students and staff struggling to breathe.
Source: Punch newspapers
