Ijebu Congress Raises Alarm Over Repeated Toxic Gas Emissions In Ogun Communities

The Association of Ijebu Sons & Daughters has expressed deep concern over the recurring incidents of suspected toxic gas emissions affecting schools and communities across Ijebu land in Ogun State, describing the development as disturbing and unacceptable.

In a press release issued on Friday and signed by the Global Secretary of the association, Alhaji Otunba Hammed Gafari, and the Global Chairman, Prince Bunmi Mebude, the group lamented that the latest incidents occurred barely weeks after a similar outbreak at Our Lady of Apostles Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode.

The association noted that fresh cases of suspected toxic gas emissions were reported on Friday at Anglican Girls Grammar School and Hope Immaculate High School in Ijebu-Ode, as well as at St. Anthony’s Grammar School in Ijebu Imusin.

According to the statement, eyewitnesses said the incidents caused panic among students and residents, with several persons reportedly affected and rushed to hospitals for treatment.

The group cited the case of a parent at Hope Immaculate High School who reportedly lamented that his daughter remained unconscious for over four hours before she was revived after medical intervention said to have cost nearly N170,000.

The Ijebu Congress questioned the outcome of investigations into the earlier incident at Our Lady of Apostles Girls High School, asking whether the Ogun State Government had released any preliminary or final report on the matter.

The association also demanded clarification on whether methane gas had been officially identified as the substance responsible for the emissions and why such incidents continued to occur around schools in the area.

“We are not just thoroughly concerned, we are deeply disturbed,” the statement read, stressing that repeated occurrences of the incidents suggested that adequate preventive measures had not been taken after the first outbreak.

The group called on the Ogun State Government, Ijebu-Ode Local Government and other relevant authorities to urgently investigate the source of the emissions and put measures in place to prevent future occurrences.

The association emphasized the need to safeguard the lives of students and residents, noting that the safety and wellbeing of children must remain a top priority for government at all levels.