About 100 students of the Ekiti State Government-owned College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti, were hospitalised on Wednesday following fumigation of the school by men suspected to be from the Federal Fire Service.
The students who inhaled the chemical used for the fumigation became ill afterwards with some of them slumping and gasping for breath.
This development angered the students who resorted to a demonstration during which they allegedly vandalised buildings and cars in the school.
It was learnt that the fumigation was done in connection with preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus, but the student queried why this was being done at a time the school was in session and students were sitting for examination.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, confirmed that 100 students were taken to the State Specialist Hospital, Ijero Ekiti.
Filani, who physically visited the school said, “Before I left the hospital at Ijero, 64 of them had been discharged, while about 34 are still in the facility. I expect many of them to be discharged Wednesday evening and Thursday.
“We sent two of the students to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, for observation and to ensure that they are in good condition and one other is undergoing investigation at the Afe Babalola University Multi-systems Hospital, Ado Ekiti.”
The commissioner said the federal fire service officials had been arrested by the police.
“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he added.
