The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, OGEPA, Hon. Kenny Bello, arrived the scene around 8:00 a.m. to coordinate emergency response efforts.
The affected schools visited by Bello included Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu Ode and Hope Immaculate school.
Others are Sabadola secondary school, Ijebu Ode, St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu Imushin and Adeola Odutola secondary school, Ijebu Ode where victims reportedly developed breathing difficulties.
The OGEPA boss ensured that all necessary precautions were immediately taken to safeguard affected students, while emergency medical support was mobilised to nearby health facilities.
He also supervised environmental assessments around the affected areas to determine the possible source of the suspected chemical odour causing panic among residents and school authorities.
Bello said that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane concentrations.
He explained that the device recorded methane concentrations of about 13,500 parts per million (ppm) in surrounding areas.
According to him, the monitoring device forms part of the state’s environmental surveillance programme for detecting abnormal air quality conditions.
The OGEPA GM said the methane concentration remained below the lower explosive limit but required immediate technical investigation and precautionary measures.
He said the state government would activate a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team to investigate the incident.
According to him, the team will determine the emission source, assess exposure risks and evaluate other associated gases in the environment.
He advised residents to remain calm and continue normal activities while avoiding open flames near areas with unusual gas odours.
He urged residents experiencing dizziness, headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort to seek immediate medical attention.
According to him, the state government remained committed to protecting lives and ensuring that the situation was brought under control without further harm to students and staff.
Parents and residents commended the swift intervention of the Ogun State Government and OGEPA, describing the response as timely and reassuring amid growing concerns over public safety.
