The Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of some schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo after more than 100 pupils were reportedly hospitalized following exposure to underground gas emission.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, with affected pupils taken to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo and other healthcare facilities for treatment.
Among the schools worst affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and schools in Ago-Iwoye.
A video circulating on social media showed some pupils fainting and being rushed to hospitals after inhaling the substance, which the state government had previously identified as methane.
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, said pupils and staff began experiencing breathing difficulties and fainting at about 10 a.m.
“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 added that some schools in Ago-Iwoye closed around 11 a.m. as the situation became increasingly alarming.
“The worst-hit schools include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode. Some parents who heard about the incident also came to pick up their children because nobody knew what was happening,” the teacher said.
The teacher expressed concern that the emissions had recurred since April, exposing pupils and school staff to repeated health risks.
“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 added.
Wednesday’s incident was the fourth reported occurrence of the emissions in the Ijebu area since April, raising fresh concerns about the safety of pupils and residents.
The state government, however, assured residents that the situation was under control.
In April, about 40 pupils were reportedly affected, while more than 120 others were hospitalised following another exposure in May. A further incident on June 1 reportedly left 69 pupils needing medical attention.
Also Read: Ogun Government shuts down school over student’s death
Schools previously affected included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin.
Following an earlier occurrence, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government was working with the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the cause of the emissions.
Abiodun said gas analysers had been installed in affected schools after the first incident and that preliminary findings identified the substance as methane.
“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.
When contacted on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was on top of the situation.
Kehinde Bello, a senior special assistant to the governor and general manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, also linked the latest incident to underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area.
Bello, who visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, said the situation was under control and assured residents that the government would find a lasting solution.
He said investigations indicated that the phenomenon was a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
Bello urged residents to remain calm, adding that the affected pupils were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.
He also advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.
Medical personnel were attending to affected pupils at various hospitals as of the time of filing the report.
The latest incident has intensified concerns over the recurring emissions and their potential risks to children, teachers and other residents, as calls grow for the government to establish the precise source and implement a lasting solution.
Punch News
