The Ogun State Police Command has urged residents of Ijebu-Ode to remain calm following the gas leakage incident that affected students and teachers in parts of the town on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred along the Agoro/Okunowa Road area of Ijebu-Ode and affected over 100 students and teachers from at least seven schools.
The affected schools include Our Ladies Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, St. Anthony Grammar School, and Orphanage Primary School.
The development comes barely six weeks after a similar chemical odour incident affected Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools, where over 30 students and two teachers were hospitalised.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, assured residents that the situation has been brought under control.
According to the statement, the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to secure the area, assist emergency responders, and maintain public safety.
“The situation has since been brought under control, while monitoring and technical assessments continue,” the statement said.
Police explained that officers on patrol received reports of a suspected chemical emission affecting students and residents in parts of Ijebu-Ode.
The affected victims were quickly evacuated to the General Hospital and several private medical facilities for treatment.
“The Command is pleased to confirm that no life was lost, while all affected persons are responding positively to treatment,” the statement added.
Preliminary environmental assessments reportedly detected elevated methane gas concentrations in the affected area, while experts and emergency agencies continue investigations to determine the exact source of the emission and possible environmental risks.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, described the situation as more of a security concern than a widespread environmental pollution issue.
He also dismissed claims that the entire town was affected, explaining that the incident was mainly limited to certain schools in the area.
Bello urged residents, parents, and guardians to remain calm, assuring them that the government is working to fully resolve the situation.
