Oyo govt rescues Polytechnic Ibadan students after gas incident

From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

Ten students from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, are currently receiving medical treatment at government hospitals after inhaling a toxic gas and collapsing on Tuesday.

The Oyo State government responded swiftly to the emergency after receiving a distress call, mobilising an immediate rescue operation.

Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, led an emergency response team to the institution. The affected students were promptly evacuated to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH) for urgent medical care.

Eyewitnesses reported that the students, all from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, had just completed a course test when a fight broke out between two individuals. During the altercation, an unidentified substance, believed to be a choking gas, was released into the air, allegedly by one of the students. This led to several students collapsing, with some losing consciousness. In total, ten students were affected.

Following the intervention, Dr. Ajetunmobi personally visited the hospitals, confirming that the students had been stabilised and were receiving appropriate treatment. She urged The Polytechnic Ibadan’s management to conduct a thorough investigation to identify and bring those responsible to justice.

Additionally, she called for increased sensitisation programmes within the institution to discourage violence and other harmful behaviours that could endanger public safety.

Reaffirming the Ministry of Health’s commitment to protecting residents’ well-being, Dr. Ajetunmobi assured that health-related emergencies would continue to receive a rapid response.

The Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr. Taiwo, expressed appreciation for the state government’s swift action and pledged to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Dr. Ajetunmobi was accompanied by key ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde; Director of Secondary Health Care and Training, Dr. Adekunle Aremu; Director of Nursing Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Oyebode; Director of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services, Mrs. Afusat Akande; and members of the Rapid Response Team.