Students, Teachers Hospitalised After Inhaling Poisonous Gas In Ogun

Over 100 secondary school students of public schools and their teachers were yesterday hospitalised in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State after inhaling poisonous gas leak suspected to have emanated from a factory in their neighbourhood.

The victims comprised those from the Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende and Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage in Ijebu Ode among other public schools in Ijebu town.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that several students and teachers collapsed after inhaling the poisonous substance, which is the second phase under two months and were immediately rushed to the State Hospital in Ijebu Ode, as well as other private medical facilities in the town.

The development, which sent panic across Ijebu-Ode township, forced several other primary and secondary schools in both public and private sector to close for the day to avoid being caught unaware.

When contacted, chairman of the Ijebu Ode local government area, Hon Dare confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP Weekend, but stressed that he could not confirm the total number of victims.

Alebiosu further stated that he had initiated conversation with the state government and until the team earlier put in place by the state government during the first incident in April, 2026 completed their investigation, it would be difficult to ascertain the cause and total number of victims.

Meanwhile, in his reaction, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya also confirmed the mysterious gas leak, stressing that necessary action was being taken by the Ministry of Education, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), security agents and the local government towards normalising the situation.

Oresanya in a statement he later released, said that the Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School has recorded elevated methane (CH4) concentrations within its monitoring coverage area in Ijebu Ode, with peak readings of approximately 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.

He explained that the deployment of the Air Quality Monitoring device at Ijebu Ode Grammar School forms part of the state’s continuous environmental surveillance programme designed to provide early detection of abnormal air quality conditions and support timely public health interventions.

The commissioner stated that “while the recorded methane concentration is below the lower explosive limit, the level is considered environmentally significant and requires immediate technical investigation and precautionary response.

“In response, the state government will activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team comprising environmental regulators, emergency response services, and technical air quality experts to: determine the source of the emissions, assess spatial extent and exposure risk, and evaluate associated gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other relevant air quality parameters.

“Residents are advised to remain calm and continue normal activities, while avoiding open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are detected.”