The Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of several schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo after more than 100 pupils were taken to hospitals on Wednesday following suspected exposure to harmful gas emissions.
The affected students were rushed to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo and other health facilities for treatment after reportedly experiencing breathing difficulties, with some collapsing.
Schools affected by the incident include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School and some schools in Ago-Iwoye.
Footage circulating on social media showed pupils reportedly fainting and being taken for medical attention as the situation unfolded.
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10am when pupils and staff started experiencing respiratory difficulties.
The teacher said some students and staff members collapsed, prompting emergency responses and the closure of some schools in Ago-Iwoye by about 11am.
Parents who received reports of the incident also went to schools to take their children home amid uncertainty over the source of the emissions.
The latest occurrence has renewed concerns about the recurring gas emissions in the Ijebu area, where similar incidents have reportedly affected schoolchildren since April.
Wednesday’s incident is the fourth reported occurrence in the area. In April, about 40 pupils were reportedly affected, while more than 120 students were hospitalized during another incident in May. A further episode on 01-06-2026 reportedly left 69 pupils needing medical attention.
Previous incidents affected several schools, including Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Epe Garage, 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 and the risks they pose to pupils, teachers and residents. The state government had previously identified methane as a possible substance involved, but the precise cause of the emissions remains under investigation.
Following earlier occurrences, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government was working with the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University to establish the cause.
The governor also disclosed that gas analyzers had been installed in affected schools to help monitor the situation. Preliminary findings pointed to possible geological factors, including fault lines, but the government was awaiting the final findings of the investigation.
On Wednesday, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was addressing the situation.
Kehinde Bello, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, also visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo.
Bello linked the latest episode to the underground gas emissions previously recorded in the area and said the situation was under control. He added that government investigations suggested a possible natural geological or tectonic cause rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.
He assured residents that the government would continue working towards a lasting solution and said affected pupils were expected to recover after receiving medical care.
Bello also advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs instead of wearing nose masks.
As of the time of filing this report, medical personnel were attending to affected pupils at various hospitals.
The government is under renewed pressure to establish the exact source of the emissions and introduce effective measures to protect schools and surrounding communities from further exposure.
