Panic in Ogun school as third gas leak in two months ‘leaves over 100 hospitalised’

A recurring gas leak at Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has left scores of students and staff hospitalised for the third time in two months, prompting government investigation into the source of the hazard.

For the third time in two months, a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has left scores of students and staff hospitalised, raising renewed concerns over environmental safety in the area. The latest incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday during school hours when students and teachers perceived an offensive smell, leading to breathing difficulties, discomfort and panic. Victims were subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode for treatment.

A resident who spoke anonymously said, “Some of the affected students and staff members were subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, where they received medical attention. Some of the students were still on admission. The general complain is discomfort, weakness, some of them even fainted.” The resident also called for urgent government intervention, saying, “The government has to get to the root of this terrible incident. This is the third time in two months that we shall be experiencing this hazardous gas leak, the government should please do something before it is too late”.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed awareness of the incident and assured that the government is taking steps to address the situation. He said authorities have identified the source of the leak, stating, “Yes I am aware of this gas leak incident and we have detected the source through our installed monitoring devices. The gas leakage is coming from behind Our Lady of Apostle School, Ijebu Ode,”. Previous incidents in April and May had also led to mass hospitalisations, with over 100 students and staff affected in earlier cases linked to suspected gas exposure in nearby schools.

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