A fresh outbreak of offensive gas odour has hit secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye areas of Ogun State, leaving several students hospitalised.
The incident, which happens to be the fourth this year, occurred on Wednesday morning. It affected students at Anglican Girls Grammar School, including its public and private sections in Obalende, Ijebu-Ode, as well as Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School.
Reports said that several students were taken to the general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo for medical attention, while the odour disrupted academic activities in Ago-Iwoye, prompting some schools to close abruptly and send their pupils home.
The development triggered panic as parents and teachers stormed hospitals to check on their wards.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Orensaya, confirmed the incident, saying the government is on top of the situation.
However, the General Manager Ogun State Environmental Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, who was on ground to assess the situation in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo, disclosed that the latest occurrence was linked to underground gas emissions previously recorded in Ijebu-Ode since April 2026.
Bello said investigations indicated it was a natural occurrence linked to geological and tectonic fault lines, not sabotage or a pipeline leak, and advised exposed residents to cover their noses with wet handkerchiefs.
He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the affected students were expected to recover after receiving treatment.
He also advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.
Medical personnel were attending to affected students at the general hospitals as of the time of filing this report.
The gas emission crisis started in early April 2026 at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School (OLAS), Ijebu-Ode, when about 30 students and teachers were hospitalised after inhaling a strange gaseous substance shortly after morning assembly.
Governor Dapo Abiodun had ordered the immediate closure of the school while investigations continued, with subsequent outbreaks recorded in May and June affecting Anglican Girls Grammar School.