Ogun State Closes School After Suspected Gas Leak Incident

The Ogun State government has ordered the immediate closure of Ladi Apostolic Secondary School in Ijebu Ode due to a suspected gas leak that occurred shortly after a school assembly on Wednesday. This incident resulted in 30 individuals, including students and staff members, experiencing difficulty breathing and being hospitalized.

Ogun State Environment Commissioner Ola Oresanya stated that Governor Dapo Abiodun has directed security agencies to investigate the cause of the incident, emphasizing that the findings will help prevent future occurrences. The governor also ordered that a situation room be opened at the General Hospital in Ijebu Ode to provide free treatment for affected students and residents in the surrounding areas, including Makalewo, Ogbogbo, Molipa, Igbegba, Ikoto, and Ok Aj Market.

Residents have been advised not to panic, as there has been no confirmed security threat linked to the incident. Initial speculations suggested that the incident may have been caused by a nearby gas explosion or a chemical odor from the school laboratory during practical sessions.

The school's vice principal, Adeola Borogun, dismissed reports of an explosion but acknowledged the presence of a strange chemical smell on the premises.