The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, has refuted claims that the chemical odour incident affecting some schools in Ijebu-Ode was caused by air pollution.

Bello stated that the incident appears to be more of a security concern than an environmental safety issue.

He made this known during his visit to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; the State General Hospital, Esure; as well as a private hospital in the town.

He urged residents, parents, and guardians in the affected communities to remain calm, assuring them that the government is doing everything possible to resolve the situation.

Speaking earlier, a medical doctor at the State General Hospital, Esure, Dr. Victor Nathaniel, disclosed that 15 students were brought to the facility — 12 from private schools and three from public schools within the same area.

According to him, the students complained of symptoms linked to inhalation of a foul-smelling and irritating chemical odour.

Also speaking on the development, the doctor on duty, Dr. Farouk Raji, explained that some of the students were brought in unconscious, with weak pulse rates, but noted that their conditions had stabilized.

Dr. Raji added that five patients were brought to the facility, some of whom had been discharged, while others were still receiving treatment.

Hon. Kehinde Bello further revealed that an air quality analyzer installed at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School detected high levels of methane (CH4) concentration, with peak readings of approximately 14,900 ppm around the location.

He added that efforts were ongoing to install analyzers across other affected schools in the area.

This news platform reports that the OGEPA General Manager, Hon. Kehinde Bello, has remained on ground since 8 a.m. monitoring the situation.