Fresh Gas Leak Scare Hits Ogun Schools, Over 100 Students Hospitalised

Fresh panic swept through Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Friday after another suspected gas leak affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools in the town, barely two months after a similar incident hospitalised dozens.

Among the affected schools are Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Obalende, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, and other nearby public schools.

Many of the victims were rushed to the Ogun State General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and private medical facilities after reportedly suffering symptoms such as stomach pain, dizziness and weakness.

A viral video circulating online captured frightened students running out of one of the schools while teachers struggled to assist some pupils said to have fainted during the incident.

One of the teachers appealed to the government and concerned Nigerians to urgently support the affected students.

An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously, described the latest incident as worse than the previous gas leak recorded in the area about two months ago.

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“I am presently at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and I can tell you that the previous gas leak incident is nothing compared to what we are witnessing now,” the source said.

“The hospital is overcrowded with affected students, while some parents have taken their children to private hospitals. The students are complaining of stomach ache and weakness. Multiple schools were affected, and over 100 students are said to have been impacted.”

Confirming the development, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said emergency response measures had been activated to contain the situation and investigate the source of the emission.

“I am aware of the situation, and necessary action is being taken by the Ministry of Education, OGEPA, security agencies and the local government authorities,” Oresanya stated.

It was gathered that the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, alongside the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, visited affected areas to assess the situation and ensure victims received medical attention.

The state government urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the gas leak.

In a statement issued on Friday, Oresanya disclosed that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane gas concentrations in affected areas.

According to him, the monitoring equipment recorded methane concentration peaks of about 13,500 parts per million (ppm) in surrounding locations.

He explained that the installation of the monitoring device forms part of the state government’s environmental surveillance initiative aimed at early detection of hazardous air conditions and prompt public health intervention.

“While the recorded methane concentration remains below the lower explosive limit, the level is environmentally significant and requires immediate technical investigation and precautionary response,” he said.

Oresanya added that the state government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team made up of environmental regulators, emergency responders and air quality experts.

The team is expected to determine the source of the emissions, assess exposure risks and evaluate the presence of other harmful gases, including hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds.

Residents were advised to avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are detected and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort.

The commissioner assured residents that the Ogun State Government remained committed to protecting lives, public health and environmental safety, adding that updates would be provided as investigations continue.

A similar incident had occurred about two months ago at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Old Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode, where over 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised following a suspected gas leak.