The Ogun gas leak crisis has taken a new turn as the Ogun State House of Assembly summoned Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya following another incident that left more than 100 students hospitalised.
The Speaker, Daisi Elemide, directed the commissioner and his team to appear before the House on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The State Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant agencies are also expected to explain the recurring incidents in the Ijebu axis.
The lawmakers want the agencies to explain the cause of the suspected gas emissions and outline measures to prevent further exposure.
Ogun Assembly Demands Answers Over Repeated Gas Leak
Elemide announced the decision during the House sitting on Thursday. He said the invitation followed reports that a suspected gaseous substance had caused several schoolchildren to require medical attention in Ijebu-Ode and neighbouring communities.
The resolution followed a report by Lukman Adeleye, who represents Odogbolu State Constituency.
Adeleye acknowledged the efforts of relevant agencies in handling previous incidents. However, he stressed the need for officials to brief lawmakers on their response plans and identify areas requiring additional government support.
The latest Ogun gas leak incident has renewed concerns because similar episodes have affected schools in the area several times since April.
More Than 100 Students Hospitalised
More than 100 students from secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo reportedly received treatment after inhaling the suspected gas on Wednesday.
Affected schools included Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode and Itamerin Comprehensive High School in Ago-Iwoye.
A teacher at one of the affected schools said the incident began at about 10 a.m. The teacher, who spoke anonymously, reported that students and staff developed breathing difficulties and began fainting.
School officials subsequently rushed affected students to nearby hospitals.
A video circulating online reportedly showed some students fainting as others rushed to get them medical attention.
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Previous Gas Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
Wednesday’s incident was reportedly the fourth major occurrence in the Ijebu axis since April 2026.
The first incident affected about 40 students in April. Another exposure in May reportedly sent more than 120 students to hospital, while a further incident on June 1 affected 69 students.
Previous cases involved schools including Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode, Anglican Girls Grammar School and St Anthony Grammar School in Ijebu-Imusin.
The repeated incidents have raised questions about the source of the emissions and the measures needed to protect students and residents.
Government Intensifies Investigation
The Ogun State Government said it had intensified efforts to investigate the latest incident.
Kayode Akinmade, the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said an assessment team visited the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, where more than 30 students received medical attention, before proceeding to an affected school for further checks.
According to the government, reported symptoms included shortness of breath, stomach problems and drowsiness.
Some students required oxygen to stabilise their conditions, while others received less intensive treatment. Most had been discharged by the time the assessment team left the hospital, although a few remained under observation.
The team also inspected affected school premises and surrounding communities to identify possible sources of the odour.
The assessment indicated that the problem extended beyond school grounds. Residents in nearby communities also reported detecting the smell, while the chairman of Ijebu North Local Government Area confirmed that it was perceived at the council secretariat.
A team from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission also reportedly joined the assessment and investigation.
Methane Emissions Suspected as Probe Continues
The Commissioner for Environment had previously attributed earlier incidents to natural underground gas emissions associated with geological and tectonic fault lines. He ruled out sabotage and a gas pipeline leak as the cause of those earlier occurrences.
The government had identified methane as the suspected gas in previous incidents. However, the precise source of the latest emissions remains under investigation.
The recurring Ogun gas leak episodes have disrupted school activities and heightened fears among parents, teachers and residents across the affected communities.
The appearance before the Assembly is expected to give lawmakers further information about the government’s findings, preventive measures and the support required by relevant agencies.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the affected areas as investigations proceed. Further findings are expected to clarify the source of the emissions and their potential health and environmental effects.