Dare Babalola
Authorities in Ogun State have launched an investigation into a suspected air contamination incident at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, following the sudden hospitalisation of dozens of students and a teacher.
The incident, which occurred shortly after the morning assembly on Wednesday, triggered panic within the school as an unidentified gaseous substance reportedly spread across the premises, leaving many struggling to breathe and others collapsing.
Emergency responders evacuated affected students, with at least 30 of them, alongside a staff member, taken to Ijebu Ode General Hospital for urgent medical attention. Officials later confirmed that those affected were stabilised.
Providing an update, the State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, told newsmen that the government has moved swiftly to determine the exact source and nature of the gas.
“We are bringing a gas analyser to the scene to determine the type of gas involved and its concentration. That will guide us on the exact cause,” he said.
Oresanya noted that initial assessments have ruled out industrial pollution, stressing that the location of the school makes such a scenario unlikely.
“There is no industrial facility around that could have emitted gas, so we can reasonably say it is not industrial pollution,” he explained.
He also dismissed widespread speculation about an explosion on the school premises, insisting that the situation was purely a leakage.
“There was no explosion anywhere. It is simply a gas leak from an unknown source,” he added.
While some witnesses linked the incident to a possible laboratory-related emission, others suggested the substance may have drifted in from outside the school environment, leaving investigators to explore multiple angles.
Giving reassurance on the victims’ condition, the commissioner said the affected students were responding well to treatment.
“About 30 students were taken to the hospital, and they are stable now. They are doing fine,” he said.
The incident has heightened concerns over environmental safety in schools, with authorities promising a thorough investigation to prevent a recurrence.
