…Panic as fumes disrupt classes in Ijebu-Ode
…authorities probe possible carbide source
No fewer than 30 students of Our Lady Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, were hospitalised on Wednesday following a suspected gas leak that caused panic within the school premises.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that both students and teachers experienced difficulty breathing after inhaling fumes believed to have emanated from nearby carbide cylinders.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the affected students were promptly evacuated to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode for urgent medical attention.
According to him, most of the victims are now in stable condition, while some have already been discharged.
“Yes, there was a gas leak around Lady Apostles School in Ijebu-Ode. I received the report about two hours ago. About 30 students were affected and taken to the General Hospital. Most are stable, and some have been discharged,” he said.
Despite initial reports, the commissioner noted that preliminary findings showed no evidence of a conventional gas leak in the area.
“As I speak, I am in Ijebu-Ode with my team, trying to trace the source. There is no gas pipeline, gas grid, or industrial facility nearby. We suspect some form of human activity may be responsible,” Oresanya added.
He further disclosed that investigators discovered a nearby bush during their inspection, raising suspicions that the fumes could have originated from individuals possibly engaged in metalwork using gas cylinders.
“Teachers reported that the odour resembled carbide. It is possible that a carbide gas cylinder may have exploded somewhere around the area,” he explained.
Oresanya appealed to parents and residents to remain calm, assuring that a full investigation is underway and more details would be made available before the end of the day.
