Ten students of the Polytechnic Ibadan were yesterday rushed to Adeoyo State Hospital and the University College Hospital, UCH, in Ibadan after inhaling poisonous gas in the institution’s laboratory.
Vanguard gathered that the affected students, who are from the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, were about to receive a lecture when a minor quarrel started between two students.
While other students were attempting to mediate, a gaseous substance was reportedly sprayed by one of the students into the Hall which made ten students unconscious.
Upon receiving a distress call, the Commissioner for Health in Oyo State, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, rushed to the hospital to assess the condition of the students.
Ajetunmobi called on the management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to investigate the incident thoroughly, and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
Speaking on the issue, the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr Taiwo Lasisi, commended the prompt response of the state government to the emergency, promising to fish out the perpetrators of the act.
Ajetunmobi was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, 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.
The acting Registrar, Adewumi Ogunjimi, confirmed that the school’s management had written to the state’s Commissioner for Health, requesting an emergency medical response.
The letter reads: “The institution, hereby, informs the Commissioner for Health of an emergency within the Middle Belt Campus of the institution.
The acting Registrar, Adewumi Ogunjimi, confirmed that the school’s management had written to the state’s Commissioner for Health, requesting an emergency medical response.
The letter read in part, ”The institution hereby informs the Commissioner for Health of an emergency within the Middle Belt Campus of the institution.
“Some students receiving lectures were found to have inhaled some indeterminable substance, making them weak and dazed.
“The institution has taken immediate and proactive steps by evacuating the entire area.
“Some of the affected students are equally being attended to by medical doctors and other paramedic staff at the institution’s health centre.
“We, therefore, call on the ministry to immediately come into the institution for an on-the-spot assessment and other necessary actions.”
