The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this during an engagement with parents, guardians, and community members at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School on Saturday.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, was triggered by a gas leakage that affected more than 100 students and teachers across the local government area.

The affected schools include Our Lady’s Grammar School, Epe Garage; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; and Orphanage Primary School, Imosan.

Coker said the state government would deploy ambulance services to all wards in Ijebu-Ode to ensure rapid emergency response, adding that any patient requiring advanced treatment would be referred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

She confirmed that patients admitted in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Ife hospitals following exposure to methane emissions had all been discharged in stable condition.

“Methane is a non-toxic gas, but it displaces oxygen in the body, which is essential for normal brain and bodily functions. While mild exposure may show no symptoms, moderate exposure can cause fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and breathing difficulties,” she explained.

She added that severe exposure could lead to convulsions or loss of consciousness, but noted that none of the patients experienced critical complications.

The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and promptly report any unusual occurrences through the ministry’s emergency response channels.

She also disclosed that surveillance nurses, rapid response teams, and other health personnel had been deployed to the area, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had been notified.

“If you notice anything unusual, please alert us immediately so our teams can respond quickly. We have adequate ambulances, oxygen supply, and trained personnel across the state,” she said.

Coker further stated that toxicology tests would be conducted on some of the affected students to determine the level of exposure.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, revealed that air quality monitoring devices had been installed around the affected schools, while environmental health officers would begin school inspections from Monday.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, also called for calm, assuring parents that the government remains committed to safeguarding students’ welfare.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, confirmed that security operatives, including the School Protection Squad, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and other specialised teams, had been deployed to secure schools and surrounding communities.

He added that drones were also being used to monitor the affected areas to ensure continued safety of students and residents.