Approximately 10 students from The Polytechnic Ibadan are currently receiving medical treatment in government hospitals after inhaling a toxic gas and collapsing on Tuesday.
The Oyo State government acted swiftly upon receiving a distress call, deploying an emergency response team to the tertiary institution. The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, led the immediate intervention.
The affected students were quickly evacuated and taken to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH) for urgent care.
According to eyewitnesses, the students, who are from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, were in their lecture hall following a course test when a fight broke out between two individuals. As others attempted to intervene, an unidentified choking substance was allegedly released into the air by one of the students, causing several to collapse and some to lose consciousness. Ten students were impacted by the incident.
Dr. Ajetunmobi personally visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the students, confirming that they had been stabilised and were receiving appropriate medical attention.
She called on the management of The Polytechnic Ibadan to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable.
The Commissioner also stressed the importance of organising sensitisation programmes for students to discourage acts of violence and harmful behaviour that could endanger public safety.
She reiterated the Ministry of Health’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of all Oyo State residents and assured that the ministry would continue to respond promptly to health-related emergencies.
The Rector of The Polytechnic Ibadan, Dr. Taiwo, expressed gratitude for the state government’s swift response and pledged to identify and address the individuals responsible for the incident.
Accompanying the Commissioner 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.