The Ogun toxic gas leak has reportedly left more than 100 students hospitalised after inhaling an offensive gaseous substance across secondary schools in Ijebu Ode, Ago Iwoye and Ijebu Igbo.
The affected students were taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu Ode, General Hospital in Ijebu Igbo and other healthcare facilities for medical attention following the latest incident.
Schools reportedly worst affected include Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu Ode and Itamerin Comprehensive High School in Ago Iwoye.
A video circulating on social media showed some students fainting and being rushed to hospitals after the reported exposure.
The incident has renewed concerns over recurring gas emissions in Ijebu land, with residents and school staff calling on the Ogun State Government to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Students Experience Breathing Difficulties After Gas Exposure
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred at about 10 a.m., when students and staff began experiencing breathing difficulties and fainting.
According to the teacher, some schools in Ago Iwoye were forced to close around 11 a.m. as the situation became increasingly distressing.
The teacher identified Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu Ode among the worst-affected schools.
The source added that some parents rushed to the schools to pick up their children amid fears over their safety.
The teacher also expressed concern that similar gas emissions had reportedly occurred since April, repeatedly sending students to hospitals.
The source called on the state government to intensify efforts to identify the cause of the emissions and prevent further exposure.
Ogun Toxic Gas Leak: Previous Incidents in Ijebu Land
The latest Ogun toxic gas leak incident is reportedly the fourth occurrence of mysterious gaseous emissions affecting schools and communities in Ijebu land.
Previous incidents have resulted in the hospitalisation of scores of students.
In April, about 40 students were reportedly affected by the gas emissions. In May, more than 120 students were reportedly hospitalised following another occurrence.
On June 1, a further 69 students were reportedly taken to hospitals after another exposure.
Schools affected during previous incidents included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School at Epe Garage in Ijebu Ode, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu Ode and St. Anthony Grammar School in Ijebu Imusin.
The repeated incidents have raised questions about the source of the emissions, the safety of school environments and the measures required to protect students and staff.
Government Identifies Methane as Authorities Investigate Gas Emissions
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had previously said the state government was working to establish the cause of the recurring gas pollution.
The governor disclosed that 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 to investigate the phenomenon.
According to the governor, gas analysers were installed in affected schools following earlier incidents to determine the nature and concentration of the emissions.
He said the substance had been identified as methane and that preliminary findings suggested geological factors, including possible fault lines, could be responsible.
The governor also said the government was awaiting a final report from the professionals conducting the investigation.
The findings are expected to help authorities determine the precise source of the emissions and develop appropriate measures to prevent further incidents.
Ogun Government Says Situation Is Under Control
When contacted on Wednesday, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was addressing the situation.
“We are on top of the situation,” he said.
Kehinde Bello, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiodun and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, also visited affected areas in Ijebu Ode and Ijebu Igbo to assess the situation.
Bello reportedly linked the latest occurrence to underground gas emissions previously recorded in Ijebu Ode since April 2026.
He said government investigations indicated that the phenomenon was associated with geological and tectonic fault lines rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
Bello assured residents that the situation was under control and that the government would work towards finding a lasting solution.
He also urged residents to remain calm, adding that the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.
Residents Concerned About Safety as Gas Emissions Recur
The recurring Ogun toxic gas leak has heightened anxiety among parents, teachers and residents of the affected communities, particularly because several incidents have occurred in and around schools.
The repeated exposure incidents have increased calls for a comprehensive investigation, improved environmental monitoring and effective emergency response measures to protect students and school personnel.
Medical personnel were reportedly attending to affected students at general hospitals as of the time of filing the report.
Although the government has attributed the emissions to possible geological factors, the precise source and mechanism of the recurring releases remain subject to further investigation.
Residents will be looking to the state government and relevant regulatory agencies to establish the cause conclusively and implement lasting measures to prevent further incidents.
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