"Several students began vomiting and fainting, forcing the school management to call for ambulances from the State General Hospital, Ijebu Ode," the vice principal said to reporters.

At least 30 students and a teacher of Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State were hospitalised on Wednesday, following exposure to a suspected chemical odour within the school premises.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred shortly after the morning assembly, caused panic as several students reportedly began vomiting and fainting.

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Speaking to reporters, the school's Vice Principal, Adeola Borogun, said the situation was not caused by a gas explosion but by a strange odour perceived in the environment.

She said the development prompted the school authorities to immediately seek medical assistance.

"Several students began vomiting and fainting, forcing the school management to call for ambulances from the State General Hospital, Ijebu Ode," she said.

When contacted, the State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident, dismissing speculation that it was an explosion in the school premises.

He noted that an investigation was ongoing to find out the cause of the incident.

"No, there is no explosion anywhere.

"It's a gas leakage from somewhere. Some say it was from the school laboratory, but some say it must have been from somewhere around the community.

"We are bringing a gas analyser there now to analyse the type of gas and the concentration zone. So, that will give us the exact cause," Mr Oresanya said.

He added that the 30 students brought to the hospital are now in stable condition

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Dare Alebiosu, who visited the hospital, described the situation as calm and under control.

He assured parents and residents that a full investigation would be carried out to uncover the cause of the incident.

(NAN)