Barely one month after a chemical odour incident occurred at Our Lady of Apostles Girls School in Ijebu Ode, another outbreak has affected more than 90 students from different schools across the city.
Parents and guardians were seen hurriedly picking up their children and wards as the chemical odour spread across several schools in Ijebu Ode.
One of the medical personnel at the scene disclosed that many of the affected students were complaining of abdominal pain.
Some of the affected schools include Our Lady of Apostles School, Epe Garage, Ijebu Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, Ijebu Ode; Ijebu-Ode Grammar School; and Sambadola Private School, among others.
Recall that a similar incident occurred barely a month ago, during which several students were reportedly affected by a chemical odour outbreak.
Eyewitnesses also stated that some neighbouring communities and streets within and around the town experienced the unusual odour.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, who visited the scene, urged parents to remain calm and allow medical personnel to carry out their duties.
He stated that officials from both federal and state environmental agencies had been contacted for immediate intervention.
Speaking on the development, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, disclosed that the Ogun State Government wishes to inform the public that the Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School recorded elevated methane (CH₄) concentrations within its monitoring coverage area in Ijebu Ode, with peak readings of approximately 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.
Bello explained that the deployment of the Air Quality Monitoring Device at Ijebu Ode Grammar School is part of the State Government’s continuous environmental surveillance programme aimed at ensuring early detection of abnormal air quality conditions and enabling timely public health interventions.
He noted that although the recorded methane concentration remains below the lower explosive limit, the level is environmentally significant and requires immediate technical investigation and precautionary measures.
He added that the State Government would activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team comprising environmental regulators, emergency response services, and technical air quality experts to investigate the situation further.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue their normal activities while avoiding open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are detected.
“Any symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort should be promptly reported to nearby health facilities,” he advised.
“The Ogun State Government remains fully committed to safeguarding lives, public health, and environmental integrity. Further verified updates will be communicated as investigations progress,” Bello stated.