Hundreds of secondary school students have reportedly been taken to hospitals following a fresh outbreak of offensive gaseous odour in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, affecting students at Anglican Girls Grammar School, including its public and private sections, in Obalende, Ijebu-Ode, as well as Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School.

Several students were taken to the general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo for medical attention, while the odour disrupted academic activities in Ago-Iwoye, prompting some schools to close abruptly and send pupils home.

The incident triggered panic among parents, guardians and teachers, some of whom rushed to hospitals to check on the condition of affected students.

However, the  General Manager Ogun state environmental agency(OGEPA) , Hon Kehinde Bello ,who was on ground to access the situation in ijebu ode and that of ijebu -igbo disclosed that the latest occurrence was linked to underground gas emissions previously recorded in Ijebu-Ode since April 2026.

Bello stated  the situation is under control, adding that the government will find a lasting solution to the incident. 

He said government investigations had indicated that the phenomenon was a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.

He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.

Bello further advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.

Medical personnel were attending to affected students at the general hospitals as of the time of filing this report.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over the recurrence of gaseous emissions in the affected communities, particularly their impact on schools and the safety of children.

Residents are expected to look to the state government for sustained monitoring of the phenomenon and effective measures to prevent further exposure, as investigations into the recurring emissions remain a matter of public concern.