No fewer than 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised after a suspected gas leak at a secondary school in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The incident occurred shortly after the morning assembly on Wednesday, when a strange gaseous substance reportedly spread across the school premises, causing panic among students and staff. Many were seen struggling to breathe, while some collapsed after inhaling the fumes.
Emergency services were quickly contacted, and the affected students and the teacher were rushed to the General Hospital in Ijebu Ode for treatment.
Initial reports suggested the possibility of a nearby gas explosion, but other sources pointed to a chemical odour believed to have originated from the school laboratory during a practical session. It was gathered that an accident involving laboratory equipment may have released the substance into the air.
Speaking on the incident, the school’s Vice Principal (Junior School), Adeola Borogun, dismissed claims of an explosion, describing the situation as a mysterious chemical smell that caused symptoms such as vomiting and fainting among students.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, also confirmed it was a gas leak but ruled out industrial pollution or any form of explosion. He noted that officials were deploying a gas analyser to determine the exact nature and source of the substance.
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“There is no industrial activity in the area that could have caused this. What we are dealing with is a gas leak from an unknown source. The analyser will help us identify it,” he said.
Medical officials confirmed that all affected individuals were in stable condition. The Chief Medical Director of the General Hospital, Dr Banjo Adeoye, said 30 students and one teacher were treated, adding that investigations were ongoing to identify the substance involved.
The Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, also confirmed that no lives were lost and assured that all victims were responding well to treatment.
