About 10 students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, are currently receiving treatment in government hospitals after inhaling a poisonous gas and collapsing on Tuesday.
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) for treatment.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the affected students, who are from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, were seated in their lecture hall after a course test had been conducted.
A fight reportedly 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 personally visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the students, confirming that they had been stabilized and were receiving appropriate medical care.
Dr. Ajetunmobi urged the management of The Polytechnic Ibadan to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice. She also emphasized the need for the institution to organize sensitization programs for students, discouraging acts of violence and harmful behavior that could jeopardize public safety.
The Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo, appreciated the prompt response of the State Government to the emergency situation and pledged to fish out the perpetrators of the act.
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