More than 100 secondary school students in Ogun State have reportedly been hospitalised following suspected gas emissions that affected schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, leaving students and staff struggling to breathe. Some students reportedly fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The affected students were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other healthcare facilities.
Among the schools reportedly affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, and Itamerin Comprehensive High School in Ago-Iwoye.
Ogun Schools Close as Students Develop Breathing Difficulties
A video circulating on social media showed some students fainting as people rushed to get them medical attention. The incident also triggered panic among parents and residents in the affected communities.
A teacher at one of the schools, who spoke anonymously, said the symptoms began around 10 a.m. Students and staff reportedly started experiencing breathing difficulties after inhaling the suspected gas.
According to the teacher, some schools in Ago-Iwoye closed for the day around 11 a.m. as the situation became more serious.
The teacher added that worried parents rushed to their children’s schools to take them home because of concerns about their safety.
The latest incident has renewed calls for the Ogun State Government to identify the source of the emissions and prevent further exposure.
Fourth Suspected Gas Incident Since April
The Wednesday incident was reportedly the fourth time suspected gaseous emissions had disrupted school activities in parts of Ijebu land since April 2026.
Reports indicated that about 40 students were affected during the first incident in April. In May, more than 120 students were reportedly hospitalised after another exposure.
A further 69 students were said to have been hospitalised on June 1.
Schools affected in previous incidents included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School in Ijebu-Imusin.
The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the safety of students and school staff. There are also questions about why some schools have continued to experience similar problems.
Dapo Abiodun Orders Investigation Into Gas Emissions
Following earlier incidents, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government was working with relevant agencies and experts to determine the cause of the suspected emissions.
The governor said the Ministries of Environment and Health were collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
In June, Abiodun disclosed that gas analysers had been installed in affected schools to identify the type and concentration of the gas.
He said preliminary findings had identified methane during the investigation. However, the government was still awaiting a final professional report on the source of the emissions.
The governor also noted that geological conditions, including possible fault lines, might be contributing to the incidents.
Ogun Government Monitors Latest Incident
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya said the government was monitoring the latest development.
When contacted on Wednesday, Oresanya assured the public that the situation was being handled.
Meanwhile, Kehinde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the governor and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo to assess the situation.
Bello said the government was working towards a lasting solution. He added that investigations suggested the emissions might be linked to underground gas occurrences and geological or tectonic fault lines.
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He also said the phenomenon was not currently believed to be the result of sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
Bello urged residents to remain calm and said the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.
He further advised people exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.
However, the precise source of the emissions and the reason for their recurrence remain unclear.
Residents Await Permanent Solution
Medical personnel were reportedly attending to affected students at general hospitals and other healthcare facilities as of the time the report was filed.
The latest incident has increased pressure on the state government and relevant agencies to conclude their investigations and introduce effective preventive measures.
Until the source is established, parents, teachers and residents remain concerned about the possibility of further exposure in schools across the affected communities.
