Poly Ibadan probes poisonous gas incident, suspects sabotage

The management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has launched an investigation into the release of a mysterious substance that led to the hospitalisation of about 10 students on Tuesday.

Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Soladoye Adewole, said the incident occurred in a classroom near the sewage area on campus.

“Nothing is wrong with the area.

“It is likely to be a sabotage by a yet-to-be-identified student, students or people.

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 Honourable Commissioner for Health of an emergency situation 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.”

Some of the affected students received medical attention at the Ring Road State Hospital.