Ogun shuts schools as gas emissions send over 100 pupils to hospitals

The Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of some schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo after more than 100 pupils were hospitalised following suspected exposure to an offensive gaseous substance.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, with affected pupils rushed to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, and other healthcare facilities for medical attention.

Among the schools reportedly affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and some schools in Ago-Iwoye.

A video circulating on social media showed pupils reportedly collapsing and being rushed to hospitals, raising fresh concerns about the recurring gas emissions in the affected communities.

The state government had previously identified methane as the suspected substance, although investigations into the precise source of the emissions remain ongoing.

Teacher recounts incident

A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10am when pupils and staff started experiencing breathing difficulties.

According to the teacher, some of those affected collapsed and had to be taken to hospitals for treatment.

“The pupils and staff started inhaling the gas and began to have difficulty breathing. Some of them fainted and were rushed to hospitals,” the teacher said.

The teacher added that some schools in Ago-Iwoye were forced to close at about 11am as the situation worsened, while worried parents arrived to take their children home.

The teacher identified Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode among the worst-affected schools.

Expressing concern over the recurring incidents, the teacher said the emissions had reportedly affected schools in the area since April, leaving pupils, teachers and other residents worried about their safety.

“We are all anxious about our health and that of our pupils. I think it is taking the government too long to get to the root of this mysterious gas leakage. The government has to do something quickly before it gets too late,” the teacher said.

Fourth incident since April

Wednesday’s incident was reported as the fourth occurrence of gaseous emissions in the Ijebu area since April, intensifying calls for a lasting solution.

In April, about 40 pupils were reportedly affected, while more than 120 others were hospitalised following another incident in May.

A further occurrence on June 1 reportedly left 69 pupils requiring medical attention.

Schools previously affected included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin, among others.

The repeated incidents have raised concerns among residents and school communities, particularly over the potential health risks posed by the unidentified source of the emissions.

Government investigates cause

Following an earlier occurrence, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the state government was working with relevant agencies and experts to determine the cause of the emissions.

The agencies involved included the state Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Abiodun disclosed in June that gas analysers had been installed in affected schools, while preliminary findings suggested that methane could be responsible for the incidents.

“Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions.

“We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,” the governor said.

When contacted on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was on top of the situation.

Kehinde Bello, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, who visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, attributed the latest incident to underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area.

Bello said the situation was under control, assuring residents that the government would continue working towards a permanent solution.

He said investigations had indicated that the phenomenon might be a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.

Bello urged residents to remain calm, adding that the affected pupils were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.

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

As of the time of filing the report, medical personnel were attending to affected pupils at various hospitals.

The latest incident has renewed calls for the government and relevant experts to establish the precise source of the emissions and implement effective measures to prevent further occurrences, particularly in schools where pupils and staff have repeatedly been exposed.