OGEPA Dismisses Air Pollution Reports Over Ijebu-Ode School Incident, Cites Chemical Odour Exposure

The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, has dismissed reports linking the strange incident affecting schools in Ijebu-Ode to air pollution, describing the situation as a chemical odour reaction rather than an environmental pollution crisis.

Bello said preliminary findings suggest the development may be more of a security-related concern, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact source of the offensive odour.

The OGEPA boss made the remarks during an assessment visit to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure, the State General Hospital in Esure, and a private medical facility attending to affected students.

He appealed to residents, parents, and guardians to remain calm, assuring them that the Ogun State Government was taking urgent steps to contain the situation and protect residents in the affected communities.

Speaking on the medical response, Dr. Victor Nathaniel of the State General Hospital, Esure, disclosed that 15 students were brought to the hospital following exposure to the strange odour. According to him, 12 of the students were from private schools, while three were from public schools within the area.

Nathaniel explained that the students complained of symptoms associated with inhalation of a strong and irritating chemical smell.

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Also commenting, Dr. Farouk Raji said some of the affected students were initially brought to the hospital unconscious and with weak pulse rates but had since stabilized after receiving treatment.

He added that five patients were treated at the facility, with some already discharged while others remained under observation.

Providing further updates, Bello revealed that an air quality analyzer deployed at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School recorded elevated methane gas concentration levels, peaking at about 14,900 parts per million (ppm) around the affected environment.

He said the agency had begun deploying additional air quality monitoring equipment to other affected schools as part of efforts to identify the source of the odour and prevent further exposure.

The OGEPA General Manager was reportedly on ground from early morning monitoring developments and coordinating emergency response efforts.

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