Oyo Moves In As 10 Ibadan Poly Students Collapse After Inhaling Gaseous Substance Inside Lecture Hall

After ingesting toxic gas and collapsing on Tuesday, roughly ten Polytechnic Ibadan students are currently undergoing treatment in government hospitals. Following a distress call, the Oyo State administration acted quickly to address the emergency at the tertiary institution.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi led an immediate emergency response.

Affected students were promptly evacuated and transferred to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH).

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the affected students, who were from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, were seated in their lecture hall after a course test had been conducted.

A fight reportedly broke out between two students, and while others attempted to intervene, an unknown choking substance was released into the air, allegedly sprayed by one of the students. This led to several students collapsing, and some went unconscious. Ten students were affected.

Following the intervention, the Commissioner personally visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the students, confirming that they had been stabilized and were receiving appropriate medical care.

Dr. Ajetunmobi urged the management of The Polytechnic Ibadan to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

She also emphasized the need for the institution to organize sensitization programs for students, discouraging acts of violence and harmful behaviour that could jeopardize public safety.

She reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring the well-being of all residents of Oyo State and will continue to respond promptly to health-related emergencies.

The Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo appreciated the prompt response of the State Government to the emergency situation and pledged to fish out the perpetrators of the act.

In her company were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training, Dr. Adekunle Aremu, the Director of Nursing Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Oyebode, the Director of Food, Water and Laboratory Services, Mrs. Afusat Akande and the members of the Rapid Response Team.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Commissioner for Information and Orientation,
Oyo State.
February 11, 2025.