At least 100 students and teachers were hospitalised
on Friday, May 15, after being exposed to a suspected chemical odour in
Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The affected schools reportedly include Anglican Girls
Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe
Garage.
According to reports, some of the students began
complaining of stomach pain, weakness, and breathing difficulties after
inhaling the strange substance.
The affected students and teachers were immediately
taken to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, while others were moved to private
medical facilities for treatment.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola
Oresanya, confirmed the incident, saying relevant government agencies had
already begun emergency interventions.
Oresanya said the Ministry of Education, Ministry of
Environment, security agencies, and local government authorities were working
together to manage the situation.
In a statement issued on Friday, the commissioner
disclosed that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu-Ode Grammar
School detected elevated methane levels in the area.
According to him, the device recorded methane
concentrations of about 13,500 parts per million in surrounding locations.
He explained that although the methane level was below
the lower explosive limit, the situation still required urgent technical
investigation and precautionary action.
The commissioner said the state government would
activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to
investigate the source of the emission.
He added that the team would also assess possible
exposure risks and test for other associated gases in the environment.
Oresanya urged residents to remain calm and continue
their normal activities, but advised them to avoid open flames around areas
where unusual gas odours are noticed.
He also appealed to anyone experiencing dizziness,
headaches, nausea, or breathing difficulties to seek immediate medical
attention.
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