The Ogun State Government has directed some schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye to shut down temporarily after more than 100 pupils reportedly fell ill following suspected exposure to gas emissions.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, prompted the evacuation of affected pupils to hospitals across the communities for treatment.
Among the schools affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and several schools in Ago-Iwoye.
Footage shared online showed pupils reportedly collapsing as people rushed to assist them and arrange medical attention.
A teacher from one of the affected schools, who requested anonymity, said the situation began at about 10am when pupils and staff started experiencing breathing problems, with some collapsing.
“The pupils and staff started inhaling the gas and began to have difficulty breathing. Some of them fainted and were rushed to hospitals,” the teacher said.
The teacher explained that some schools in Ago-Iwoye dismissed pupils by around 11am as the situation deteriorated. Worried parents also reportedly arrived to take their children home because the source of the emissions was unknown.
The repeated incidents have heightened anxiety among school workers, parents and residents, with concerns growing over the safety of children in the affected communities.
“We are all anxious about our health and that of our pupils. I think it is taking the government too long to get to the root of this mysterious gas leakage. The government has to do something quickly before it gets too late,” the teacher said.
Wednesday’s occurrence is the fourth reported case of suspected gas emissions in the Ijebu area since April.
About 40 pupils were reportedly affected during the first incident in April, while another occurrence in May led to more than 120 pupils being hospitalised. A further incident on June 1 reportedly left 69 pupils requiring medical attention.
Other schools affected in previous incidents included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode, and St Anthony Grammar School in Ijebu-Imusin.
The latest development has renewed demands for a thorough investigation and a lasting solution to prevent further incidents.
Following earlier cases, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the state was working with relevant government agencies and specialists from Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the cause.
The governor had also disclosed that gas detection equipment was installed in affected schools, with preliminary investigations suggesting methane could be responsible.
“Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions.
“We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,” the governor said in June.
On Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the state government was responding to the situation.
Kehinde Bello, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, also visited the affected areas and said the latest incident appeared connected to underground gas emissions previously recorded in the region.
Bello maintained that the government was working towards resolving the problem. He said preliminary investigations pointed to a possible natural geological cause involving underground fault lines, rather than sabotage or a leaking gas pipeline.
He urged residents to remain calm and said the affected pupils were expected to recover after receiving treatment.
However, the recurring incidents continue to raise questions about the safety of schools in the area, as residents await the final findings of the investigation and concrete steps to prevent another occurrence.
As of Wednesday, medical personnel were still treating affected pupils at various hospitals.
