More than 100 students from several secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, were reportedly hospitalised on Wednesday after inhaling an offensive gaseous substance in a fresh incident of suspected underground gas emissions.
The affected students were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other healthcare facilities for medical attention.
Schools reportedly worst affected include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode and Itamerin Comprehensive High School in Ago-Iwoye.
A video circulating on social media showed some students fainting and being rushed to hospitals following the incident. The Ogun State Government had previously identified methane as the gas involved in earlier occurrences.
Students Report Breathing Difficulties
A teacher at one of the affected schools said the incident began at about 10 a.m., with students and staff experiencing breathing difficulties after inhaling the gas. Some reportedly fainted and were taken to hospitals.
The teacher said some schools in Ago-Iwoye closed around 11 a.m. as the situation worsened, while worried parents arrived to take their children home.
The teacher also expressed concern that similar incidents had reportedly occurred since April, calling on the government to accelerate investigations and find a lasting solution.
The latest occurrence is reportedly the fourth major gas-emission incident to affect schools in the Ijebu area since April 2026.
Previous Incidents Raised Safety Concerns
Earlier occurrences reportedly affected dozens of students.
About 40 students were affected in April, while more than 120 were reportedly hospitalised following another incident in May. On June 1, at least 69 students were taken to hospitals after a further occurrence.
Schools affected during previous incidents included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St. Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin.
The repeated incidents have heightened concerns among parents, teachers and residents about the safety of students and staff in the affected communities.
FG, Ogun Government Investigate Gas Emissions
Following earlier incidents in June, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the state government was working with relevant agencies to establish the source of the emissions.
The investigation involved 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 said gas analysers had been installed at affected schools after the initial incident to determine the nature and concentration of the emissions. He added that preliminary findings suggested possible geological factors, including fault lines, but the government was awaiting the final report from experts.
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said on Wednesday that the government was addressing the situation.
Kehinde Bello, General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, also visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo to assess the latest incident.
Bello said the latest occurrence was linked to underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area. He added that government investigations suggested a possible natural geological cause rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
He assured residents that the situation was under control and that the government would continue working towards a lasting solution.
Residents Urged to Remain Cautious
Bello urged residents to remain calm, saying the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical treatment.
He also advised people exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs.
However, given the recurring nature of the incidents and the reported hospitalisations, residents should follow safety instructions from emergency responders and relevant health and environmental authorities, particularly if they experience breathing difficulties or other symptoms.
The cause of the emissions has yet to be conclusively established in the information provided, making the outcome of the ongoing technical investigation critical to preventing further exposure in schools and surrounding communities.
