IJEBU-ODE, NIGERIA — The Ogun State Government has confirmed that the poisonous gas emission that affected over 100 students in Ijebu towns is now under control.
All the affected students have been discharged from the medical facilities where they were treated.
The Incident
The incident occurred on Wednesday. Over 100 students from secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, and Ago-Iwoye inhaled the poisonous gas.
The students were rushed to various hospitals. Over 30 students were admitted at the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode. Over 40 were taken to government and private facilities in Ago-Iwoye. About 30 others were treated at the State Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo.
Sources confirmed that the students were discharged late Wednesday afternoon. They were discharged between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Government’s Response
The state government issued a statement late on Wednesday. It said investigations had been intensified to unravel the incident.
The statement was made available by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade. He said a government assessment team visited the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode.
“More than 30 students were attended to before proceeding to Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School for further assessment and investigation,” Akinmade said.
He said findings from the affected students and doctors indicated that most of the students had been discharged. A few remained under medical observation.
“The team also inspected the school premises and surrounding areas to establish the extent of the incident and identify possible sources of the odour,” he said.
Not Restricted to Schools
Akinmade said the assessment indicated that the phenomenon was not restricted to school premises. Residents in neighbouring communities also reported perceiving the odour.
The Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government Area confirmed that the odour was perceived at the council secretariat.
A team from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission arrived at the scene. They participated in the assessment and ongoing investigation.
Previous Incidents
Wednesday’s incident was the fourth time such a gaseous emission would occur in Ogun State. The first incident occurred in April 2026. Others followed in May and June.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, attributed previous occurrences to natural underground gas emissions. He said they were associated with geological and tectonic fault lines. He ruled out sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
Concerns from Stakeholders
Parents and stakeholders have expressed serious concerns over the incident. They said it is gradually becoming a monthly occurrence.
The Ijebu Igbo Youth Development Association expressed deep concern. But it expressed relief that no life was lost during the trauma.
The association sympathised with the affected students, residents, and their families. It also commended the swift response of the Executive Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, Bolaji Odusanya.
“We appreciate the medical personnel at the General Hospital, Ijebu Igbo and other healthcare facilities for their professionalism, dedication and timely care of the affected persons,” the association said.
The association urged the Ogun State Government and Ijebu North Local Government to ensure a thorough investigation. It said they should establish the source and cause of the gaseous substance. It also urged them to implement lasting measures to prevent a recurrence.
What This Means
The recurring gas emissions in Ogun State are a serious public health concern. The government must identify the source and address it urgently.
For now, the students have been discharged. But the incident has left many families worried about the safety of their children.
