By Funmilayo Akinyemi
No fewer than 10 students of Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, reportedly collapsed on Monday, after inhaling poisonous gas, following a brawl among some students.
Eye witnesses confirmed that the students were from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department and had just finished a test at the time of the incident.
They further alleged that fight broke out among the students, which led to someone releasing an unknown choking chemical into the air, which led to several students collapsing, and the affected students went unconscious.
Following a distress call, the State Government responded swiftly by declaring emergency on the situation at the tertiary institution.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who led the emergency response to the school, promptly evacuated the affected students to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH).
She urged the management of The Polytechnic, to thoroughly investigate the incident ensuring that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The acting Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, who thanked the State Government for the quick response to the situation, vowed to fish out the perpetrators.
