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 hospitalized following suspected exposure to an offensive gaseous substance.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, raising fresh concerns about the recurring gas emissions that have affected schools and communities in the Ijebu area of the state since April.
The affected pupils were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other healthcare facilities for medical attention.
Among the schools reportedly worst affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and some schools in Ago-Iwoye.
A video circulating on social media showed pupils reportedly collapsing and being rushed to hospitals after experiencing symptoms associated with exposure to the suspected gas.
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10am when pupils and staff started experiencing breathing difficulties.
According to the teacher, some of the affected pupils and staff members eventually collapsed and had to be taken to hospitals for treatment.
“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 were forced to close around 11am as the situation worsened.
The teacher also identified Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode among the worst-hit institutions.
Some parents reportedly rushed to the schools to take their children home because of uncertainty surrounding the source of the emissions and the possible health risks.
The recurring incidents have left teachers, parents and residents worried about the safety of pupils and other people living in the affected communities.
The teacher expressed concern that the government had yet to determine the exact source of the emissions despite several previous occurrences.
The latest incident was reportedly the fourth major occurrence of suspected gas emissions in the area since April.
In April, about 40 pupils were reportedly affected. Another incident in May left more than 120 pupils hospitalised, while a further occurrence on June 1 reportedly affected 69 pupils who required medical attention.
Other schools previously affected include Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin.
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The repeated incidents have intensified calls for the Ogun State Government to identify the source of the emissions and implement measures to prevent further occurrences.
Government Investigates Cause of Gas Emissions
Following an earlier incident, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said his administration was working with relevant government agencies and experts to determine the cause of the emissions.
The investigation involves the state Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The governor had previously disclosed that gas analysers were installed in affected schools to help monitor the situation.
Preliminary findings reportedly suggested that methane could be responsible for the emissions. However, the exact source of the gas had yet to be conclusively established.
In June, Abiodun said investigators were examining the possibility that geological factors, including underground fault lines, could be responsible for the recurring incidents.
He said the government was awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation.
Speaking on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was on top of the situation.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, Kehinde Bello, also visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo.
Bello linked the latest incident to the underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area, assuring residents that the government was working towards finding a lasting solution.
He said the government’s investigations indicated that the phenomenon could be 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 offensive odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.
As of the time the report was filed, medical personnel were attending to affected pupils at various hospitals.
The recurring emissions have continued to raise concerns about the potential health risks to schoolchildren, teachers and other residents.
Parents and community members are now awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigations and the implementation of effective measures to prevent another incident.
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