No fewer than 100 students and teachers were hospitalised on Friday following exposure to a suspected chemical odour in parts of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, sparking panic among residents and prompting an emergency response from state authorities.
The incident reportedly affected students and staff of Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende,and staff of Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School located around the Epe Garage area of the town.
Witnesses said many of the affected students suddenly developed symptoms including stomach aches, breathing difficulties, dizziness, weakness and nausea shortly after inhaling the unidentified substance within the school environment.
The victims were subsequently rushed to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, alongside several private medical facilities across the area for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the development, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed that relevant government agencies had commenced investigations and emergency interventions to determine the source of the suspected chemical emission.
According to him, officials from the Ministries of Environment and Education, security agencies, emergency responders and local government authorities were collaborating to contain the situation and protect residents.
In a statement issued on Friday, Oresanya revealed that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School detected unusually high methane concentrations in the affected areas.
He explained that the monitoring equipment recorded methane levels of approximately 13,500 parts per million (ppm), a figure that triggered immediate environmental concern and technical assessment.
The commissioner noted, however, that although the methane concentration remained below the lower explosive limit, the development required urgent scientific investigation and precautionary safety measures to prevent possible escalation.
“The monitoring device forms part of the state government’s environmental surveillance system established to detect abnormal air quality conditions and protect public health,” he stated.
Oresanya further announced that the state government would immediately activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to investigate the incident comprehensively.
According to him, the team will work to identify the exact source of the emission, determine possible exposure risks and assess the presence of other hazardous gases in the atmosphere.
He listed some of the substances under investigation to include hydrogen sulphide, volatile organic compounds and other potentially harmful air pollutants.
The commissioner advised residents to remain calm and continue their normal daily activities while exercising caution around areas with unusual gas odours.
He specifically warned against the use of open flames or combustible materials near suspected emission zones pending the outcome of investigations.
He also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest healthcare facility.
Oresanya reaffirmed the Ogun State Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives, public health and environmental safety, assuring residents that verified updates would be communicated as investigations progress.
The incident has since generated anxiety among parents and residents in Ijebu-Ode, with many calling for a thorough investigation into possible industrial or environmental sources of the suspected chemical leak.
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