Tension in Osun school as pupils become unconscious after inhaling teargas fired by mobile police

A secondary school in Osogbo, Osun State, Fakunle Unity High School, hurriedly shut down academic activities on Tuesday, after some pupils became unconscious after inhaling teargas fired by men of Mopol 39 Base, located directly opposite the school premises.

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A source in the school, who preferred not to be named over fears of harassment, told The PUNCH that pupils were already in their various classes when teargas fired by the riot policemen engaging in their morning drills filtered into the premises.

As a result, some of the pupils lost consciousness, after inhaling the gas, and were rushed to a private hospital located near the school for treatment, while others were taken to Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

When our correspondent arrived at the premises of the school located along Osogbo/Ikirun road, only teachers were found, as the pupils were said to have been dismissed for the day to prevent more casualties.

None of the teachers approached were willing to talk about the development, but a parent, simply identified as Gideon, told our correspondent that he was told to check Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for his daughter, who was said to have been affected by the teargas.

He said, “When I got here, I was told to check Uniosun Teaching Hospital for my daughter. The students have been sent home after about 20 of them lost consciousness after inhaling tear gas fired by the men of the Mopol base here.”

When contacted for reaction, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, said the riot policemen were engaging in their usual morning drills and apologised to those that were affected.

She said, “I just spoke to the people at the Mopol base. They were just engaging in their morning drills, which involved the use of tear gas. We apologise for the inconvenience. There will be necessary adjustments in operation since the base is now close to where other people also operate their businesses.”