Over 100 Students Hospitalised as Fresh Suspected Gas Leak Hits Ogun Schools

Fear and confusion gripped residents of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State on Friday after a fresh suspected gas leak affected more than 100 students and teachers across multiple schools, forcing many victims into hospitals for emergency treatment.

The latest incident occurred less than two months after a similar environmental scare in the town, raising fresh concerns over public safety and air quality in the area.

Among the affected schools are Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, alongside other nearby public schools reportedly impacted by the strange emission.

Witnesses said students suddenly began experiencing symptoms including stomach pain, dizziness, breathing difficulty, weakness and fainting during school hours, triggering panic among teachers and parents.

Several of the victims were rushed to the Ogun State General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, while others were taken to private medical facilities as worried parents scrambled to rescue their children.

Videos circulating on social media showed terrified students fleeing school premises while teachers and emergency responders struggled to assist affected pupils, some of whom reportedly collapsed during the incident.

One eyewitness described the situation as worse than the previous gas leak recorded in April.

“I am presently at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and I can tell you that the previous gas leak incident is nothing compared to what we are witnessing now,” the source said.

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“The hospital is overcrowded with affected students, while some parents have taken their children to private hospitals for treatment. Multiple schools were affected, and over 100 students are said to have been impacted.”

Confirming the development, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government had activated emergency response measures to contain the situation and investigate the source of the suspected emission.

According to him, officials from the Ministry of Environment, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), security agencies and local government authorities have been mobilised to assess the affected areas and coordinate emergency response efforts.

The Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, alongside OGEPA Managing Director, Kenny Bello, were also seen visiting affected communities and hospitals to monitor the situation and ensure victims receive proper medical attention.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ogun State Government disclosed that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane gas levels in parts of the town.

The Commissioner revealed that methane concentration peaked at about 13,500 parts per million in some locations.

He explained that although the concentration remains below the lower explosive limit, it is still environmentally significant and requires urgent technical investigation.

The government has now activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team made up of environmental regulators, emergency personnel and air quality experts.

The team is expected to determine the exact source of the emission, evaluate the level of exposure risk and investigate the possible presence of other hazardous gases, including hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds.

Residents have also been advised to avoid open flames and ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are noticed until investigations are concluded.

The latest incident has renewed public anxiety in Ijebu-Ode following a similar case in April at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, where dozens of students and a teacher were hospitalised after inhaling a strange chemical substance during morning assembly.

The repeated incidents have intensified calls for a comprehensive environmental investigation into possible industrial pollution, underground gas seepage or other environmental hazards threatening schools and residential communities in the area.

As investigations continue, concerned residents and parents are demanding urgent and lasting solutions to prevent another recurrence of the frightening situation.

Over 100 Students Hospitalised as Fresh Suspected Gas Leak Hits Ogun Schools

EFCC Arraigns Social Media Influencer Blessing CEO Over N36m Fraud

LAGOS — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned a prominent social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before a Lagos State High Court over an alleged N36 million fraud.

The self-styled relationship expert is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

According to the charge sheet, Blessing CEO allegedly defrauded one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okoye of N36 million between July 14 and 17, 2024.

The prosecution, led by counsel to the EFCC, Mr. S.O. Daji, informed the court that the influencer falsely represented to the petitioner that she had a six-bedroom duplex available for lease in the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos, a claim the prosecution maintains was entirely false.

It was further alleged that upon receipt of the sum, Blessing CEO converted the funds to her personal use instead of securing the promised property.

When the charges were read to her, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty. Her counsel, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, immediately applied for her bail.

In a notable development, Adedipe informed the presiding judge that a substantial portion of the disputed sum had already been refunded.

“My Lord, N24 million has been returned to the petitioner. We are actively engaging with the complainant’s family to resolve the remaining balance amicably,” the senior advocate told the court.

However, the presiding judge ruled that the ongoing private settlement discussions do not invalidate the criminal proceedings already initiated by the state.

Consequently, the court ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of her bail application.

The case has been adjourned to June 5, 2026, for trial. Blessing CEO, known for her controversial commentary on relationships and high-profile legal cases involving fellow celebrities, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the charges.

Angry Youths Attack Rivers Teachers Over Student Discipline, Several Injured

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Teachers and staff of Community Secondary School, Odagwa, in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, were reportedly attacked and beaten by angry youths from the community, leaving several injured and others missing. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of teachers in Nigerian schools, as a disturbing video of the attack continues to trend online.

According to multiple reports, the crisis began after a teacher attempted to discipline two SS3 students, who were allegedly disrupting classes with loud music (MP3) during school hours. A community source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that during the disciplinary process, the teacher was reportedly assaulted by the students. Following this initial altercation, some youths from the community allegedly invaded the school premises, throwing the environment into chaos and violence. The situation escalated rapidly, with staff members being beaten and forced to flee into nearby bushes for safety, while roads leading out of the school were blocked.

Several staff members were said to have sustained injuries during the attack, and there are growing concerns over the whereabouts and safety of some personnel who remain unaccounted for. The extent of the injuries and the exact number of missing staff have not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.

A disturbing video trending online has sparked serious concern, with growing calls on the Rivers State Government, security agencies, and education authorities to immediately investigate the incident. The video and accompanying allegations have generated widespread reactions online, with many residents expressing concern over the situation. An emotional claim shared alongside the video by a Facebook user, David C. Oguzie, who identified one of the students as his younger sister, said: “Just look at what a newly transferred English teacher has done to my younger sister because of what she didn’t even know; but (he) even let people who committed the offence to go free. This happened at Community Secondary School Odagwa, Etche L.G.A. Please, government should do something about it because, if anything happens to her, hmm.”

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Voices heard in the background of the video, reportedly spoken in the Etche language, suggest growing anxiety and outrage among members of the community. The local language commentary indicates that the incident has deeply affected the community, with residents demanding answers and accountability.

Concerned citizens have called on relevant authorities to act swiftly in order to maintain public confidence and prevent any escalation of tension within the school and the wider community. Many are demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and the prosecution of those found responsible for the attack on the teachers.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern across Nigeria. Over the last 18 to 24 months, the country has witnessed a concerning rise in cases where parents, relatives, or hired assailants physically attacked teachers following allegations of student discipline. One of the most widely publicized cases occurred in Akure, Ondo State in May 2025, when a vice principal confiscated a student’s phone after he allegedly attempted to cheat during the WASSCE examinations. The incident escalated when the student’s mother allegedly hired men to waylay a police van, drag the vice principal out, and beat him severely, resulting in his hospitalization. Similarly, in Port Harcourt in May 2024, relatives of a Junior Secondary School 1 student reportedly stormed Silver Bird International School at Agip, Mile 4, and assaulted a female teacher, Sonia Amadi, after she disciplined a child. The assailants allegedly locked the school’s administrative officer in an office before other parents intervened to stop further violence. In the Federal Capital Territory, a widely circulated video from Starville College in Jahi showed a teacher being assaulted by both parents of a student after admitting to slapping him for pushing him. The incident quickly drew national attention and prompted discussions about the safety of teachers and the limits of classroom discipline.

In Nigeria, teachers have the right to maintain classroom order using reasonable discipline while being protected from violence. The Child Rights Act (2005) and other laws prohibit excessive or abusive physical punishment, allowing only moderate measures like detention or suspension to enforce school rules. The federal government, through the Ministry of Education, has stated that any parent or guardian who enables, supports, or participates in criminal behavior against school staff will be prosecuted under the law.

As of the time of this report, the Rivers State Government and the Police Command in the state have not issued an official statement regarding the Odagwa incident. Concerned citizens and education advocates are urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack, identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence, provide medical care and support for injured teachers, and implement safety measures to protect teachers in schools across the state. The incident at Community Secondary School, Odagwa, serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges facing educators in Nigeria and the urgent need to protect teachers who are committed to shaping the nation’s future.

Angry Youths Attack Rivers Teachers Over Student Discipline, Several Injured