The Ogun State Government has said the situation following reports of an unusual gaseous odour in parts of the Ijebu axis is under control, as investigations continue into an incident that left several secondary school students requiring medical attention on Wednesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the odour was reported in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye, triggering panic among students, teachers, parents and residents. Some affected students were taken to hospitals for treatment.
As part of its response, a government assessment team visited the General Hospital, where more than 30 students received medical attention, before proceeding to Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School to assess the situation and investigate the incident.
Findings from interviews with affected students and information provided by the attending doctor indicated that symptoms included shortness of breath, stomach disorders and drowsiness.
While some students required oxygen to stabilise their conditions, others received treatment for less severe symptoms. Most had been discharged by the time the assessment team left the hospital, although a few remained under medical observation.
The team also inspected the school premises and surrounding communities to determine the extent of the incident and identify the possible source of the odour.
The assessment suggested that the phenomenon was not confined to school premises, as residents in neighbouring communities also reported perceiving the unusual smell.
The Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government Area reportedly confirmed that the odour was also perceived at the council secretariat.
Meanwhile, a team from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) arrived at the scene to participate in the assessment and ongoing investigation.
Reports indicated that students in other schools were also affected, with some taken to other hospitals for treatment. Academic activities were disrupted in some schools following the incident.
The latest occurrence has renewed concerns over repeated episodes of unusual gaseous odour in the Ijebu axis, particularly in Ijebu-Ode, where similar incidents have reportedly occurred since April 2026.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, had previously attributed earlier occurrences to natural underground gas emissions associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, ruling out sabotage and gas pipeline leaks as possible causes.
However, investigations into Wednesday’s incident are ongoing, with relevant technical authorities expected to provide further information on the source of the odour and its potential health and environmental implications.
The state government is expected to continue monitoring affected communities and the condition of students still receiving medical attention.
Residents have been urged to remain calm while investigations continue, with further updates expected as verified information becomes available.
