Several students have reportedly been hospitalised after a fresh outbreak of an offensive gas odour affected secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, disrupting academic activities and triggering panic among parents and teachers.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, marking the fourth reported occurrence of the gas emission crisis in the affected areas this year.
Among the schools affected were Anglican Girls Grammar School in Obalende, Ijebu-Ode, including its public and private sections, and Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School. Schools in Ago-Iwoye also experienced disruption, with some reportedly closing early and sending students home.
According to reports, several affected students were taken to general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo for medical attention. Parents and teachers also rushed to the hospitals to check on students following the incident.
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the development, saying the government was responding to the situation.
The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, who visited affected locations in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, linked the latest incident to underground gas emissions previously reported in the area since April 2026.
Bello said preliminary investigations indicated that the emissions were associated with natural geological processes and tectonic fault lines. He ruled out sabotage and a pipeline leak as the cause, according to the report.
He urged residents to remain calm and said the affected students 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 rely on ordinary nose masks.
However, the precise composition of the gas, its concentration and the scientific evidence supporting the proposed geological explanation were not provided in the report. Residents should follow instructions from emergency responders and health authorities rather than rely solely on improvised protective measures.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about the recurring emissions and the safety of students and other residents in the affected communities.
The crisis was first reported in early April 2026 at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School (OLAS), Ijebu-Ode, where about 30 students and teachers were reportedly hospitalised after inhaling an unidentified gaseous substance shortly after the morning assembly.
Following that incident, Governor Dapo Abiodun ordered the immediate closure of the school while investigations continued.
Further outbreaks were reported in May and June, including incidents affecting Anglican Girls Grammar School.
The recurrence has raised questions about the source of the emissions and what measures are being taken to prevent students and residents from being exposed again.
Medical personnel were attending to affected students at the general hospitals as of the time of the report. Further details about the students’ conditions and the outcome of the latest investigation had not been provided.
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