At least 10 students of the Polytechnic Ibadan in Oyo State have been hospitalised after inhaling a poisonous gas on Tuesday.
Our correspondent gathered that the Oyo State government swiftly responded to the emergency situation at the tertiary institution after receiving a distress call.
Upon receiving the report of the incident, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, led an immediate emergency response.
It was further learnt that the affected students were promptly evacuated and transferred to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH).
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the affected students, who were from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, were seated in their lecture hall after a course test had been conducted.
A fight reportedly broke out between two students, and while others attempted to intervene, an unknown substance was released into the air, allegedly sprayed by one of the students. This led to several students collapsing, and some went unconscious.
Following the intervention, the commissioner personally visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the students, confirming that they had been stabilised and were receiving appropriate medical care.
Ajetunmobi urged the management of the institution to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible were identified and brought to justice.
She also emphasised the need for the tertiary institution to organise sensitisation programmes for students, discouraging acts of violence and harmful behaviour that could jeopardise public safety.
She reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health remained committed to ensuring the well-being of all residents of Oyo State and will continue to respond promptly to health-related emergencies.
The Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo, appreciated the prompt response of the state government to the emergency situation and pledged to fish out the perpetrators of the act.
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