Ogun Govt allays fears over Ijebu gas odour, says situation under control

The Ogun State Government has assured residents that the situation arising from the offensive gaseous odour reported in parts of the Ijebu axis is under control.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade gave the assurance on Wednesday after scores of secondary school students were hospitalised following the odour outbreak in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye.

DAILY POST reported that more than 30 students were attended to at the General Hospital during an assessment visit by government officials, while others were taken to other hospitals.

Medical findings showed symptoms including shortness of breath, stomach disorders and drowsiness. While some required oxygen to stabilise, others received less intensive care.

As of the time the assessment team left the hospital, most of the students had been discharged, while a few remained under observation.

The team was also said to have visited Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School for further assessment, with findings indicating that the odour was not limited to school premises as residents in neighbouring areas also reported it.

Also, a team from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, arrived at the scene for assessment.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over recurring odour episodes in Ijebu-Ode since April 2026.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, had previously attributed the emissions to a natural geological occurrence linked to underground gas and tectonic fault lines, ruling out sabotage or gas pipeline leak.

However, with the latest incident affecting multiple communities and hospitalising students, further investigation is expected to establish the source and factors responsible for the symptoms.

Residents have been urged to remain calm as authorities continue monitoring the condition of affected students.