Ogun investigates gas leak in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, Ago-Iwoye

The Ogun State Government has assured residents that the unusual gaseous odour reported across parts of the Ijebu axis is under control, as investigations continue into the incident that left scores of secondary school students requiring medical attention.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, gave the assurance on behalf of the state government amid reports that students in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye were affected by the offensive odour on Wednesday.

More than 30 students were attended to at the General Hospital during an assessment visit by government officials, while other affected students were reportedly taken to different medical facilities for treatment.

Medical assessments indicated that the students presented symptoms including shortness of breath, stomach disorders and drowsiness.

Some required oxygen to stabilise their conditions, while others received less intensive medical care.

Most of the students had been discharged by the time the assessment team concluded its visit to the hospital, although a few remained under medical observation.

The team subsequently visited Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School to assess the situation and investigate the possible source of the odour, including examining the surrounding environment.

Findings from the field assessment suggested that the incident extended beyond school premises, as residents in neighbouring communities also reported perceiving the unusual smell.

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The Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government Area reportedly confirmed detecting the odour, including within the council secretariat.

A team from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also arrived at the scene to participate in the assessment and investigation.

The incident has renewed concerns over recurring episodes of unusual gaseous emissions in the Ijebu axis, particularly in Ijebu-Ode, where similar occurrences have been reported since April 2026.

In an earlier explanation, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, attributed the recurring emissions to a natural geological phenomenon involving underground gas releases associated with geological and tectonic fault lines.

Oresanya had ruled out sabotage and gas pipeline leakage as possible causes, according to previous reports.

However, Wednesday’s incident, which affected students across multiple communities and prompted hospital visits, has heightened calls for a conclusive investigation into the source of the odour and its potential health implications.

The ongoing assessment by government officials and relevant regulatory authorities is expected to establish the geographical spread of the incident, identify the source of the emissions and determine the factors responsible for the symptoms reported by affected students.

The state government has urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue and authorities monitor the condition of the affected students.

Further findings are expected to clarify the cause of the incident and guide appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence.