Panic broke out at Our Lady Apostles Secondary School after more than 30 students were rushed to hospital following a suspected gas leak within the school environment.
The incident occurred on Wednesday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, leaving both students and teachers in distress as fumes reportedly spread across the premises.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that several students and staff began experiencing breathing difficulties after inhaling the fumes, which were suspected to have originated from nearby carbide-related activity.
The affected students were promptly taken to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated that most of the students are now in stable condition, while some have already been discharged.
According to him, the government responded swiftly upon receiving reports of the situation.
“Yes, there was a gas leak around the school… about 30 students were affected and taken to the hospital. Most of them are now stable, and some have been discharged,” he said.
Despite initial reports, the commissioner noted that there are no known gas pipelines, industrial facilities, or gas vendors in the vicinity, making the source of the leak unclear.
He disclosed that an inspection of the area revealed a nearby bush, raising suspicions that the fumes may have originated from human activities, possibly involving the use of carbide by individuals working with metals.
Teachers at the school reportedly described the odour as similar to carbide gas, further supporting the suspicion of a possible cylinder-related incident.
Authorities have commenced a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and prevent a recurrence.
The state government has also assured residents and the school community of its commitment to ensuring safety and addressing any environmental risks in the area.
