The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode following a chemical inhalation incident linked to the presence of methane gas on the school premises.
Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the decision during an on-the-spot assessment of the school, saying the move was necessary to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff while investigations continue.
According to him, preliminary findings have confirmed the presence of methane gas in the affected area, prompting further scientific and environmental assessment.
The governor explained that the state government is working with the Ministries of Environment and Health, alongside the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, to determine the exact source of the gas emissions.
“Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighboring schools,” Abiodun said.
He noted that gas analyzers had previously been installed after an earlier incident, which helped confirm methane as the contaminant affecting the school environment.
Preliminary assessments, according to him, suggest that geological factors such as fault lines may be responsible for the recurring gas emissions affecting the area.
Governor Abiodun stressed that the government is awaiting a final technical report from experts before drawing conclusions on the cause of the incidents.
He added that the decision to evacuate students was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.
“The students have been moved out temporarily, and until we are satisfied that the environment is completely safe and conducive for learning, they will not return,” he said.
The governor dismissed suggestions that the incidents were targeted attacks on schools, describing them as natural occurrences currently under scientific investigation.
Authorities say monitoring and environmental testing will continue as part of efforts to prevent a recurrence and ensure the safety of affected communities.
