Methane Scare: Over 100 Ogun Students Hospitalised As Gas Emission Hits Schools Again
...Fourth Outbreak Since April Sparks Panic Across Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, Ago-Iwoy
…Students Faint, Schools Shut As Parents Demand Urgent Government Action
…Govt Blames Geological Fault Lines, Promises Lasting Solution
Daud Olatunji
Fear gripped parts of Ogun State on Wednesday as a fresh outbreak of suspected methane gas emissions reportedly left more than 100 secondary school students requiring medical attention across Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye.
The latest incident, which affected several schools, forced some institutions to suspend academic activities as students and staff reportedly experienced breathing difficulties, fainting spells and other symptoms after inhaling an offensive gaseous substance.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that affected students were taken to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, and other healthcare facilities for treatment.
Among the worst-hit institutions were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode and Itamerin Comprehensive High School in Ago-Iwoye.
The incident triggered panic among parents and guardians, some of whom reportedly rushed to schools to evacuate their children amid fears over the potential health consequences of the recurring emissions.
A viral video circulating on social media reportedly showed some students fainting and being rushed to hospitals following exposure to the substance.
A teacher at one of the affected schools, who described the incident as frightening, said the emission began at about 10am on Wednesday.
“The students and staff started inhaling the gas and began having difficulty breathing. Some fainted and were subsequently rushed to hospitals,” the teacher said.
The teacher added that the situation became unbearable in some schools in Ago-Iwoye, forcing their managements to send students home around 11am.
According to the teacher, the recurring nature of the incident has heightened anxiety among school staff, students and residents, particularly because of the uncertainty surrounding when and where the emissions might occur again.
“We are all anxious about our health and that of our students. I think it is taking the government too long to get to the root of this mysterious and potentially deadly gas leak. The government has to act quickly to address the situation before it is too late,” the teacher said.
The teacher also expressed concern that the emissions had reportedly been recurring since April, with hundreds of students affected in previous incidents.
However, the precise number of students who received medical attention during Wednesday’s incident could not be independently established by PLATFORM TIMES as of the time of filing this report.
…Fourth Outbreak Since April
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of students in the affected communities, with reports indicating that Wednesday’s occurrence was the fourth major episode since April 2026.
Previous incidents have reportedly sent dozens of students to hospitals, raising questions about the effectiveness of measures taken to prevent further exposure.
