For the third time in two months, a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, left scores of students and staff hospitalised.
The first incident in April led to the admission of about 30 students for medical care.
About 100 students were hospitalised after they were exposed to the gas leak again last month.
On Wednesday, the latest incident occurred during school hours when students and teachers suddenly perceived an offensive smell, causing discomfort and breathing difficulty.
“Some of the affected students and staff members were subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, where they received medical attention.”
“Some of the students were still on admission. The general complain is discomfort, weakness, some of them even fainted.”
A resident who spoke anonymously said the government must get to the root of this terrible incident.
“This is the third time in two months that we shall be experiencing this hazardous gas leak, the government should please do something before it is too late.”
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident and said the government is aware and doing everything within its power to address the situation.
He disclosed that the government had discovered the source of the gas leak behind Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu Ode.
“Yes I am aware of this gas leak incident and we have detected the source through our installed monitoring devices. The gas leakage is coming from behind Our Lady of Apostle School, Ijebu Ode.”
Previous Gas Leak Incidents In Ijebu Ode
On April 1, at least 30 students of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School were hospitalised following a suspected gas leak on the premises.
On May 15, tension gripped the community after another air pollution incident, believed to have been caused by a gas leak at Anglican Girls Grammar School.
More than 100 students and teachers were reportedly affected in that incident.
These repeated incidents have sparked fear among parents and residents in Ijebu Ode.
The community now demands urgent action to prevent another health emergency.
Oresanya said the government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team.
The team comprises environmental regulators, emergency responders and technical air quality experts.
What The Government Is Doing Next
The team was tasked with determining the source of the emissions, assessing spatial extent and exposure risk, and evaluating associated gases.
These include hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other relevant atmospheric parameters.
The assessment will help identify the exact cause and prevent future leaks.
Ogun State has now faced three major gas-related incidents in just two months.
The government promises to act swiftly once the investigation concludes.
Parents and school officials are waiting for clarity on safety measures before students return to normal routines.
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