10 Ibadan Poly students hospitalised after inhaling gaseous substance

No fewer than 10 students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, on Tuesday, collapsed and landed in hospitals after inhaling a substance suspected to be poisonous gas.

At the time of filing this report on Tuesday, they were receiving treatment in government hospitals.
The Oyo State government swiftly responded to the emergency situation at the tertiary institution after receiving a distress call.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, led an immediate emergency response.
Affected students were promptly evacuated and transferred to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH).

It was gathered that the affected students, who are from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, were seated in their lecture hall after a test had been conducted.

A fight broke out between two students, and while others attempted to intervene, an unknown choking substance was released into the air, allegedly sprayed by one of the students.

This led to several students collapsing, and some went unconscious. Ten students were affected.

Following the intervention, the commissioner visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the students, confirming that they had been stabilised and were receiving appropriate medical care.

Dr Ajetunmobi urged the management of The Polytechnic to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

The commissioner also stressed the need for the institution to organise sensitisation programs for students, discouraging acts of violence and harmful behaviour that could jeopardise public safety.

She reiterated that her ministry remained committed to ensuring the well-being of all residents of Oyo State and would continue to respond promptly to health-related emergencies.

The Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, appreciated the prompt response of the state government to the emergency situation and pledged to fish out the perpetrators of the act.

In her company were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde; the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training, Dr. Adekunle Aremu; the Director of Nursing Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Oyebode; the Director of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services, Mrs. Afusat Akande; and members of the Rapid Response Team.