The Ogun State Police Command has called for calm following the gas leakage incident that occurred along the Agoro/Okunowa Road axis of Ijebu-Ode, reiterating its commitment to protection of lives and property.
The Friday incident affected no fewer than 100 students and teachers from at least seven schools.
The schools include Our Ladies Grammar School, Epe Garage; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; and Orphanage Primary School, Imosan.
This is coming barely one month and two weeks after a similar chemical odour affected Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools (OLAS), where 30 students and two teachers were hospitalised.
The State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, assured that the situation is under control.
Ojajuni confirmed the immediate deployment of the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and other tactical response teams to secure the affected area, support emergency operations, and ensure public safety.
“The situation has since been brought under control, while monitoring and technical assessments continue.
“The incident was reported today when operatives on patrol within the area received information concerning a suspected chemical emission affecting students and residents around parts of Ijebu-Ode.
“The affected victims were promptly evacuated to the General Hospital and other private medical facilities within the area for immediate medical attention. The Command is pleased to confirm that no life was lost, while all affected persons are responding positively to treatment.
“Preliminary environmental assessments from the state’s Air Quality Monitoring infrastructure revealed elevated methane gas concentrations within the monitoring coverage area. Relevant technical experts and emergency response agencies are currently conducting detailed investigations to determine the source of the emission and assess any associated environmental risks,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, described the incident as more of a security issue than a safety concern.
He also refuted claims that the incident was a result of air pollution, noting that it was mainly restricted to some schools and not the entire town.
He stated this during his visit to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; the State General Hospital, Esure; as well as a private hospital in the town.
Bello, however, urged residents and guardians of the affected schools to remain calm, assuring them that the government is doing everything possible to resolve the issue.
