No fewer than 100 students and teachers were hospitalised on Friday after exposure to a suspected chemical in some schools in Ijebu-Ode. 

The schools reportedly affected include Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, among other public schools.

It was reported that affected students were rushed to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode and to some private medical facilities for treatment.

Sources said the affected students complained of stomach aches, weakness, and breathing difficulties after inhaling the substance.

The sources added that the incident affected multiple schools, with over 100 students reportedly impacted.

The Ogun Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident, saying relevant agencies had commenced necessary interventions.

Mr Oresanya said the ministries of education, environment, security agencies, and local government authorities were jointly handling the situation.

In a statement on Friday, the commissioner said that an air-quality monitoring device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane concentrations.

He explained that the device recorded methane concentrations of about 13,500 parts per million (ppm) in surrounding areas.

According to him, the monitoring device is part of the state’s environmental surveillance programme to detect abnormal air quality conditions.

Mr Oresanya said the methane concentration remained below the lower explosive limit but required immediate technical investigation and precautionary measures.

He said the state government would activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to investigate the incident.

He added that the team would determine the source of the emissions, assess exposure risks, and evaluate other associated gases in the environment.

He listed the gases to be investigated as hydrogen sulphide, volatile organic compounds, and other air quality parameters.

The commissioner advised residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities while avoiding open flames in areas with unusual gas odours.

He also urged residents experiencing dizziness, headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort to seek immediate medical attention.

Mr Oresanya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives, public health, and environmental safety across the state and assured residents that verified updates would be provided as investigations progress.

A similar incident occurred in April at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode.

The earlier incident reportedly left no fewer than 30 students and one teacher hospitalised after inhaling suspected chemical. 

(NAN)