Panic in Ogun as suspected chemical odour leaves over 100 students hospitalised

By Abiodun Lawal

No fewer than 100 students and teachers were hospitalised over complaints of stomach aches, weakness and breathing difficulties after following an exposure to a suspected chemical odour in some schools in Ijebu-Ode town.

The affected students were rushed to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and some private medical facilities for treatment.

Some of the schools reportedly affected include Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, among other public schools.

Sources confirmed that the incident affected multiple schools, with over 100 students reportedly impacted.

The Ogun Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident, saying relevant agencies had commenced necessary interventions.

Oresanya said the ministries of education, environment, security agencies, and local government authorities were jointly handling the situation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the commissioner said an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane concentrations.

He explained that the device recorded methane concentrations of about 13,500 parts per million (ppm) in surrounding areas.

According to him, the monitoring device forms part of the state’s environmental surveillance programme for detecting abnormal air quality conditions.

Oresanya said the methane concentration remained below the lower explosive limit but required immediate technical investigation and precautionary measures.

He said the state government would activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to investigate the incident.

He added that the team would determine the emission source, assess exposure risks and evaluate other associated gases in the environment.

He listed the gases to be investigated as hydrogen sulphide, volatile organic compounds, and other air quality parameters.

The commissioner advised residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities while avoiding open flames near areas with unusual gas odours.

He also urged residents experiencing dizziness, headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort to seek immediate medical attention.

Oresanya reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting lives, public health, and environmental safety across the state just as he assured residents that verified updates would be provided as investigations progress.

A similar incident occurred in April at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode.

The earlier incident reportedly left no fewer than 30 students and one teacher hospitalised after inhaling a suspected chemical odour.

(NAN)