The Ogun State Government has assured residents that no casualty was recorded following the recent gas incident that affected some schools in Ijebu-Ode, disclosing that all victims admitted in hospitals had fully recovered and been discharged.
The Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, disclosed this on Saturday during an engagement with parents, guardians and residents at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School.
Coker said persons affected by the suspected methane emission and admitted at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, as well as health facilities in Ijebu-Ife, had responded to treatment and were certified fit by health personnel.
She explained that although methane is non-toxic, it competes with oxygen needed by the body and brain to function effectively, noting that exposure could result in fatigue, breathing difficulty, rapid heartbeat and, in severe cases, unconsciousness.
The commissioner, however, stated that none of the victims recorded severe symptoms.
“There were persons admitted at the Ijebu-Ode State Hospital and others at Ijebu-Ife who were affected by the methane emission.
“Altogether, we had adults and children admitted, and I am glad to say that all have been discharged. They are hale and hearty,” she said.
Coker disclosed that the state government would deploy ambulances to all wards in Ijebu-Ode to ensure quick emergency response in the event of any future occurrence.
According to her, each ambulance would be staffed with a driver and a paramedic, while a medical response protocol had also been established to ensure patients requiring advanced treatment are immediately transferred to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
She added that district surveillance nurses, rapid response teams and environmental health officers had already been deployed to the affected communities.
The commissioner urged residents not to panic but to promptly report suspicious occurrences through the ministry’s emergency response lines.
She further revealed that teachers in both public and private schools, alongside interested parents, would be trained as community first responders.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said gas analysers had been installed around affected schools to monitor air quality.
Oresanya disclosed that experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University were collaborating with the ministry to analyse data generated from the monitoring devices.
“We have been monitoring these analysers every hour over the past four weeks, especially around this school and other parts of Ijebu-Ode,” he said.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, appealed to school principals, teachers and parents to remain calm and avoid spreading false information capable of creating panic.
He assured residents that the government would continue to prioritise the safety and welfare of students across the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed that security operatives, including the School Protection Squad and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, had been deployed to secure schools and surrounding communities.
Ojajuni added that drones were already being used to monitor the affected areas and ensure the safety of residents and students.
