At least 30 students and one teacher were hospitalised after a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The incident occurred shortly after the school assembly on Wednesday, triggering panic as a gaseous substance spread across the premises and caused breathing difficulties among students and staff.
Sources revealed that several students collapsed after inhaling the substance, prompting an emergency response.
The affected individuals were quickly taken to the General Hospital Ijebu Ode for treatment.
While some initially suspected a nearby gas explosion, others linked the incident to a chemical odour from the school laboratory during a practical session.
It was gathered that equipment may have fallen during the exercise, releasing a substance that spread throughout the school.
However, the Vice Principal (Junior School), Mrs Adeola Borogun, dismissed claims of an explosion, describing the situation as a strange chemical smell within the premises.
She said the incident caused vomiting and fainting among students, leading to the call for ambulances.
The Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Ola Oresanya, also confirmed it was a gas leak but ruled out explosion or industrial pollution.
“Some say it was from the school laboratory, but some say it must have been from somewhere around the community.
“We are bringing a gas analyser there now to analyse the type of gas and the concentration zone. So, that will give us the exact cause,” Oresanya said.
He added that no industrial facility in the area could have caused such pollution.
“There is no industrial gas around, so we know it’s not industrial pollution.
“No, there is no explosion anywhere. It’s a gas leakage from somewhere. No explosion,30 students were brought to the hospital, but they are in stable condition now. They are very okay now,” Oresanya said.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Banjo Adeoye, said 30 students and one teacher were treated and are in stable condition, though the exact substance remains unidentified.
Also, the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, confirmed that no lives were lost and that those affected are responding to treatment.
