NIGERIA: Over 100 Students Hospitalised as Gas Leak Hits Ogun Schools Again

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

More than 100 students and teachers have been hospitalised following another suspected gas leak in Ogun State, raising fresh concerns over environmental safety in the Ijebu-Ode area.

The incident occurred on Friday and affected multiple schools, including Anglican Girls’ Grammar School and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, less than two months after a similar gas-related emergency in the town.

Students reportedly developed symptoms including stomach pain, dizziness and weakness, with many rushed to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode and private health facilities for treatment.

The Ogun State government confirmed the incident and said emergency response measures had been activated to identify the source of the chemical emission.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said relevant agencies had begun investigations.

He said: “Necessary action is being taken by the Ministry of Education, OGEPA, security agencies and the local government authorities.”

The state government said an air quality monitoring device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane levels in the affected area, recording peaks of about 13,500 parts per million.

Officials said while the concentration remained below the lower explosive limit, it was significant enough to warrant immediate technical assessment.

The General Manager of Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, Kehinde Bello, said a multi-agency team had been deployed to investigate further.

The team is expected to determine the source of the gas, assess health risks, and check for the presence of other hazardous substances, including hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds.

Authorities advised residents to avoid open flames in areas where unusual odours are noticed and to seek medical attention if symptoms such as headaches, nausea or breathing difficulties occur.

The latest incident follows a similar gas leak in March at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, where at least 30 students and a teac

her were hospitalised.