More than 100 students in Ogun State have reportedly been hospitalised following another incident involving the emission of an offensive gaseous substance across secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, October 21, 2026, triggering panic among students, teachers and parents as several affected pupils reportedly experienced breathing difficulties and fainting. The students were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other healthcare facilities for medical attention.
Schools reportedly affected include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode and Itamerin Comprehensive High School in Ago-Iwoye. Some schools in Ago-Iwoye reportedly suspended academic activities and sent students home as the situation worsened.
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10 a.m., when students and staff noticed the gas and began experiencing breathing difficulties. Some reportedly fainted and had to be rushed to hospitals for treatment.
The latest occurrence has renewed concerns about recurring gas emissions in the affected communities, where similar incidents have been reported since April 2026. Previous occurrences in April, May and June also resulted in students and staff members being taken to hospitals after exposure to the unusual gaseous substance.
The Ogun State Government had previously disclosed that air-quality monitoring equipment detected elevated methane concentrations in parts of Ijebu-Ode. Authorities have been investigating the source of the emissions and the possible environmental factors responsible for their recurrence.
Kehinde Bello, General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, said preliminary government findings suggested that the latest incident was linked to underground gas emissions associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak. He assured residents that the government was working towards a lasting solution.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, also said the government was aware of the situation and was working to address it.
The recurring incidents have raised questions about environmental safety around schools and the potential health risks faced by students, teachers and nearby residents. Parents and school communities have expressed concern over the repeated disruptions to academic activities and the uncertainty surrounding the source of the emissions.
Although authorities have linked previous occurrences to methane and possible geological factors, a lasting solution remains necessary to prevent further exposure and protect people living and studying in the affected areas.
The government has assured residents that efforts are ongoing to address the problem, while medical personnel continue to attend to affected students.
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