Ijebu Ode gas leak: Police say situation under control, urge calm

The Ogun State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging calm after a gas leak on the Agoro/Okunowa Road axis of Ijebu‑Ode.

According to DAILY POST, the incident on Friday affected at least 100 students and teachers from seven schools.

The schools impacted were 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 event comes just over a month after a similar chemical odor affected Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools (OLAS), where 30 students and two teachers were hospitalized.

State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, speaking through the command’s spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the situation is under control.

Ojajuni confirmed that the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to secure the area, support emergency operations, and safeguard the public.

“The situation has since been brought under control, while monitoring and technical assessments continue,” the statement read.

“The incident was reported today when patrol operatives received information about a suspected chemical emission affecting students and residents in parts of Ijebu‑Ode,” it added.

“Affected victims were promptly evacuated to the General Hospital and other private medical facilities for immediate care. The Command is pleased to confirm that no lives were lost, and all affected persons are responding positively to treatment,” the statement continued.

“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, 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 denied claims that the event was caused by air pollution, noting that it was confined mainly to some schools rather than the entire town.

Bello made these remarks during visits to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; the State General Hospital, Esure; and a private hospital in the town.

He urged residents and guardians of the affected schools to remain calm, assuring them that the government is doing everything possible to resolve the issue.