Suspected chemical emission leaves 31 hospitalised in Ogun school

More than 30 students and a teacher in Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State were hospitalised yesterday, following exposure to the odour from a suspected chemical within the school premises.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred shortly after the morning assembly, caused panic as several students reportedly began vomiting and fainting.

Speaking with newsmen, the Vice Principal of the school, Mrs. Adeola Borogun said the situation was not caused by a gas explosion but by a strange odour perceived in the environment.

She said the development prompted the school authorities to immediately seek medical assistance.

“Several students began vomiting and fainting, forcing the school management to call for ambulances from the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode,” she said.

Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, dismissed speculation that it was an explosion in the school premises.

“It’s a gas leak from somewhere. Some said it was from the school laboratory, but others said it must have been from somewhere around the community.

“We are bringing a gas analyser there now to analyse the type of gas and the concentration zone. So, that will give us the exact cause,” Oresanya said.

He added that the 30 students brought to the hospital were in stable condition.

Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, who visited the hospital, described the situation as calm and under control.

He assured parents and residents that a full investigation would be carried out to uncover the cause of the incident