Gaseous emissions hospitalise Ogun students as govt probes recurring incidents – EnviroNews

– Advertisement –

Secondary school students have reportedly been hospitalised following fresh gaseous emissions in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, affecting students of Anglican Girls Grammar School, including its public and private sections, in Obalende, Ijebu-Ode, and Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School.

Several students were reportedly taken to general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo for medical attention, while the emissions disrupted academic activities in Ago-Iwoye.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the state government was on top of the situation.

In a swift response however, the General Manager, Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Mr. Kehinde Bello, visited the affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo to assess the situation.

Bello said the latest occurrence was linked to underground gas emissions previously recorded in Ijebu-Ode in April.

He noted that the state government was monitoring the situation and exploring measures to find a lasting solution to the recurring emissions.

According to him, government investigations indicated that the phenomenon was a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines.

He dismissed suggestions that the emissions resulted from sabotage or a gas pipeline leak, based on the outcome of the investigations.

Bello urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.

“I advise residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks,” he said.

By Joy Akinsanya