More than 100 students and teachers were apparently hospitalised on Friday following another gas leakage event in Ijebu Ode, hardly 2 months after a similar occurrence in the town.
The incident affected several schools, consisting of Anglican Women Grade school and Our Woman of Apostles Secondary School, to name a few.
Affected students were hurried to the Ogun State Medical facility and other private medical centers within the town for treatment.
A video shared on Facebook showed trainees lacking one of the impacted schools while teachers assisted those who passed out into vehicles for immediate medical attention.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of privacy, said the current event was more serious than the previous gas leak recorded in the town in April.
“I am right now at the Ogun State Health Center, Ijebu Ode, and I can inform you that the previous gas leakage which took place last month is a kid’s play when compared to this one. The whole health center here is complete and some parents have actually even taken their children to private hospitals for treatment,” the eyewitness said.
The source added that a number of the impacted trainees suffered stomach aches and weakness, noting that multiple schools were impacted by the occurrence.
Verifying the advancement, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated pertinent agencies had been released to the affected locations.
“I understand the situation, and required action is being taken by the Ministry of Education, OGEPA, security representatives, and the local government,” he stated.
Officials, including the Chairman of Ijebu Ode City Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Managing Director of Ogun State Epa, Kenny Bello, were also seen going to impacted areas to evaluate the circumstance and make sure victims gotten treatment.
In a statement provided on Friday, the Ogun State Government revealed that air quality tracking in the area taped elevated methane concentrations.
According to Oresanya, the Air Quality Keeping an eye on Gadget set up at Ijebu Ode Grammar School taped methane concentrations of about 13,500 ppm in surrounding places.
He described that although the methane level remained below the lower explosive limit, it was environmentally considerable and necessary urgent examination.
The commissioner stated the state federal government would activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment group to figure out the source of the emissions and assess possible health risks.
Citizens were recommended to stay calm, continue normal activities, and prevent open flames or ignition sources in areas where uncommon gas odours were observed.
The federal government also advised homeowners experiencing symptoms such as lightheadedness, headaches, queasiness, or respiratory pain to look for medical attention instantly.
Recall that in April, no fewer than 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised after a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu Ode, shortly after early morning assembly.
Source: Punch