Gas Leak: 69 Ogun Students Treated and Discharged as Investigations Continue

All 69 students who were taken to the hospital after a suspected gas leak at a school in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Wednesday, have been discharged. Investigations into what caused the incident are still ongoing.

The state Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, reported that most of the students got treatment and went home on Wednesday. The last seven students, who stayed overnight in the hospital, were discharged on Thursday after getting better.

Coker gave this information on Thursday while addressing concerns about the third gas leak in Ijebu-Ode and nearby areas in two months. This situation disrupted classes and caused worry among local residents.

"All the affected students, about 69 of them, have been discharged after receiving the right medical care. Most were discharged on Wednesday, while the seven who stayed overnight have also been sent home," Coker said.

Investigation into the Source

On the issue of finding out where the recurring gas leak is coming from, Coker explained that the state government is working with academics, geologists, and environmental experts. They are trying to investigate the cause of the emissions.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, also spoke to residents. He told them not to panic and assured them that the government is doing everything necessary to handle the situation.

He confirmed that all the affected students are fine and have been discharged from the hospital.

According to Oresanya, early investigations found a gas pipeline about five kilometres from the schools as a possible source of the leak.

"What we have discovered is that there is a gas pipeline about five kilometres from the affected schools. We suspect it may be connected to the incident. We have decided to shut it down temporarily while we continue our investigations," he said.

He added that experts also found an underground rock fracture, known as a fault line, running through some of the affected schools.

"We have found an underground rock fracture, or fault line, which runs through St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imushin, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode. It is possible that gas escaping underground is finding its way to the surface through this fracture.

"Our teams are still on the ground investigating. We are working with the Federal Government, gas industry operators, and experts from the geoscience departments of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The government is not taking any chances," he added.

Recent Incident Details

The latest incident happened on Wednesday at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode. Students and staff noticed a strong bad smell, which caused panic and health issues.

This is the third reported gas leak in the area in two months, raising concerns about the health of residents.

The first incident in April affected about 40 students, and another leak in May sent more than 120 students to the hospital.

The schools involved in previous incidents included Our Lady of Apostles Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; Orphanage Primary School; and St Anthony Grammar School, Esure, Ijebu-Imushin.

Oresanya had earlier said that gas analysers used by the state government found methane gas in the areas.

One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that students and teachers had trouble breathing and other symptoms after smelling the strange odour during school hours.

"Some of the students and staff members were taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, for treatment. Many complained of weakness, discomfort, and breathing difficulties, while some reportedly fainted.

"The government must get to the root of this problem. This is the third occurrence in two months, and people are worried about the long-term health implications," the resident said.

Meanwhile, a civil rights activist and national coordinator of the Food and Farmers Rights Campaign, John Eko, called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to ensure a thorough investigation into the repeated incidents.

"It was shocking to hear that the mysterious gas leak happened again. No one knows how much health risk residents may have faced from breathing in the gas repeatedly.

"We ask the government to use every available resource to find a lasting solution to this unfortunate situation," Eko said.