Education
Panic in Ogun School as Suspected Chemical Odour Hospitalises Over 30 Students, Teacher
No fewer than 30 students and a teacher of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, were hospitalised on Wednesday after a suspected chemical odour caused panic and disrupted academic activities.
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the morning assembly, when students began experiencing symptoms including vomiting and fainting, prompting an emergency response from school authorities.
The Vice Principal, Mrs Adeola Borogun, clarified that the situation was not caused by a gas explosion but by a strange chemical smell detected within the school premises.
“Many students began vomiting and fainting, forcing the school management to call for ambulances from the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode,” she said.
Confirming the development, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Banjo Adeoye, stated that about 30 students and one teacher were admitted for treatment. He added that most of the affected individuals were in stable condition, although the exact substance responsible for the incident remains unknown.
Reacting to the situation, the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Dr (Mrs) Kafayat Lawal, said officials responded promptly after receiving a distress call. She noted that the situation had already been brought under control before their arrival, after which they proceeded to the hospital to assess the victims.
Lawal further disclosed that environmental officers have been deployed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of air quality within the school to determine the source of the odour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, who visited the hospital, confirmed that all affected students were stable and that no casualties were recorded.
He described the situation as calm and under control, assuring parents and residents that a thorough investigation would be conducted to uncover the cause of the suspected chemical exposure. He also urged parents to monitor their children for any unusual symptoms as authorities continue their inquiries.
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