Panic swept through parts of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday after another suspected gas leakage affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools in the area.
The latest incident came barely six weeks after a similar gas leak disrupted academic activities at Our Lady of Apostle Primary and Secondary Schools in the town.
Affected schools in Friday’s incident included Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Epe Garage, and Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, among others.
Videos circulating on social media showed terrified students fleeing from school premises, while teachers and residents assisted victims who reportedly collapsed and struggled to breathe into vehicles for urgent medical attention.
Sources in the area disclosed that many of the affected students and staff members were rushed to the Ogun State General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, as well as private health facilities within the town.
It would be recalled that a previous gas leakage on April 1, 2026, at the Our Lady of Apostle schools led to the hospitalisation of at least 30 students and two teachers.
Following the earlier incident, Governor Dapo Abiodun ordered the temporary closure of the affected schools and directed relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the environmental hazard.
The state government also established an emergency situation room at the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, to provide free treatment for victims and residents in surrounding communities, including Makalewo, Ogbogbo, Molipa, Igbegba, Ikoto and Oke-Aje Market.
Confirming Friday’s development, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said authorities had intensified monitoring and response efforts in collaboration with security agencies and environmental experts.
According to him, air quality monitoring devices installed in the area detected unusually high methane concentrations.
He explained that the monitoring equipment situated at Ijebu Ode Grammar School recorded methane levels of about 13,500 parts per million in nearby locations.
Oresanya stated that the state government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health response team to identify the source of the emissions and assess the possible health risks associated with the leakage.
He added that experts would also evaluate the presence of other harmful gases, including hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm but advised them to avoid naked flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours were perceived.
He also appealed to residents experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea or breathing difficulties to seek immediate medical attention.
“The Ogun State Government remains committed to protecting lives and ensuring public safety as investigations continue,” he stated.