The Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of some schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo after more than 100 pupils were hospitalised on Wednesday following suspected exposure to an offensive gaseous substance.
The affected pupils were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other medical facilities for treatment.
Among the schools worst affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and some schools in Ago-Iwoye.
A video circulating on social media reportedly showed pupils fainting and being rushed to hospitals. The state government had earlier identified methane as the suspected substance, although investigations into the source of the recurring emissions remain ongoing.
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10am when pupils and staff started experiencing breathing difficulties, with some collapsing.
The teacher explained that some schools in Ago-Iwoye had to close at about 11am as the situation worsened. Parents who learnt about the incident also reportedly arrived to take their children home because the cause of the emissions was still unclear.
The teacher expressed concern that the recurring incidents, which have reportedly affected schools in the area since April, continued to pose potential health risks to pupils and staff. The teacher urged the government to identify the source of the emissions and take urgent action to prevent further incidents.
Wednesday’s development was the fourth reported occurrence of gaseous emissions in the Ijebu area since April.
In April, about 40 pupils were reportedly affected, while more than 120 others were hospitalised following another incident in May. A further occurrence on June 1 reportedly left 69 pupils requiring medical attention.
Schools previously affected included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin, among others.
The latest incident has renewed calls for the state government to establish the exact source of the emissions and implement a lasting solution.
Following an earlier occurrence, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government was working with the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the cause.
Abiodun disclosed that gas analysers had been installed in affected schools following the initial incident. He also said preliminary findings suggested methane was involved.
In June, the governor noted that geological factors, including possible fault lines in the affected locations, could be responsible for the emissions. He said the government was awaiting the final report from the professionals conducting the investigation.
When contacted on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was addressing the situation.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, Kehinde Bello, who visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, linked the latest incident to underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area.
Bello said the situation was under control and assured residents that the government would continue working towards a permanent solution. He added that investigations suggested the phenomenon was a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
He urged residents to remain calm and said the affected pupils were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.
Bello also advised people exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.
As of the time of filing the report, medical personnel were attending to affected pupils at various hospitals.
The recurring incidents have heightened concerns about the potential health risks to schoolchildren, teachers and other residents, as the public awaits the outcome of investigations and measures to prevent further exposure.
Source: Vanguard
