Fear and anxiety gripped a school community in Ogun State once again after another gas leakage incident reportedly affected dozens of students during school hours, making it the third occurrence recorded within a space of three months.
The Ogun State Government has confirmed a fresh gas leakage incident involving students of Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools (OLAS) in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday. The latest development represents the third gas-related incident recorded at the school within the last three months.
Speaking in an interview with an online platform, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed that approximately 60 students were affected in the latest incident.
The first recorded leakage occurred on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, during which at least 30 students and two teachers were rushed to the State General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode for medical attention following exposure to the gas.
Fewer than six weeks after the initial incident, a second gas leakage struck the same school and nearby institutions. The recurrence affected more than 100 students and teachers across the local government area, raising serious concerns among residents and government officials.
Following the second incident, Governor Dapo Abiodun directed the immediate closure of the school and ordered a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying the cause of the recurring leakages and preventing future occurrences.
The governor also instructed authorities to establish a situation room at the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, where affected students and residents from neighbouring communities, including Makalewo, Ogbogbo, Molipa, Igbegba, Ikoto and Oke-Aje market, received free medical treatment.
Despite the measures put in place by the state government after the previous incidents, another gas leakage was recorded on Wednesday while academic activities were ongoing. The incident triggered breathing difficulties, discomfort and panic among students and staff members on the school premises.
Students affected by the leakage were immediately evacuated from the school environment and taken to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, where they received medical attention.
The Commissioner for Environment confirmed that a gas facility located within the vicinity of the affected school has been identified as the probable source of the recurring leakages. He added that the government has concluded plans to shut down the facility as part of efforts to determine the root cause of the problem.
He stated that the leakage has been traced to a pipeline belonging to a company in the area, adding that the government is not prepared to take any further risks and will proceed with closing down the facility.
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