Panic broke out in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Friday after a suspected gas leak affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools in the town.
The incident occurred less than two months after a similar environmental scare left dozens of students hospitalised in the area.
Among the affected schools were Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, alongside other neighbouring public schools.
Many of the victims were rushed to the Ogun State General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and other private medical facilities after complaining of dizziness, stomach pain and body weakness.
Videos circulating on social media showed frightened students running out of school premises while some reportedly collapsed during the incident.
A teacher at one of the affected schools appealed to the government and other stakeholders to urgently intervene and ensure proper treatment for the victims.
An eyewitness described the latest incident as more severe than the previous gas leak recorded in the town earlier this year.
“I am currently at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and what we are witnessing now is worse than the last incident,” the source said.
“The hospital is overcrowded with affected students, while many parents have taken their children to private hospitals. Most of the students are complaining of stomach ache and weakness. Several schools were affected and over 100 students are involved.”
Confirming the development, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government had activated emergency response measures to contain the situation and uncover the source of the emission.
According to him, officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, security agencies and local government authorities had been mobilised to the affected areas.
Oresanya disclosed that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane gas concentrations within parts of the town.
He said the monitoring device recorded methane peaks of about 13,500 parts per million in surrounding areas, stressing that although the level remained below the explosive threshold, it required urgent technical investigation.
The commissioner explained that a multi-agency team comprising environmental experts, emergency responders and public health officials had commenced assessment of the affected locations.
He added that the team would investigate the source of the emissions and determine whether other harmful gases, including hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds, were present in the environment.
Residents were advised to avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours were perceived and to immediately seek medical attention if symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or respiratory discomfort occurred.
Meanwhile, officials of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency were seen visiting affected schools and hospitals to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency response efforts.
A similar incident had occurred about two months ago at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, where over 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised following a suspected gas leak.
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