Methane Gas Scare: Ogun Relocates Students as Abiodun Orders Full Investigation

The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, following the detection of methane gas within the school environment and surrounding areas.

Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the decision during an inspection visit to the school, where he assured parents, teachers and residents that the government would take every necessary step to guarantee the safety of students and staff while investigations into the incident continue.

The relocation follows recent cases of chemical inhalation reported within the school community, prompting authorities to launch a comprehensive environmental assessment.

According to the governor, preliminary findings have confirmed the presence of methane gas in the affected area, necessitating immediate precautionary measures.

Abiodun explained that the temporary evacuation of students was designed to protect lives and create an enabling environment for experts to conduct detailed investigations into the source and cause of the emissions.

"The safety and well-being of our students, teachers and the entire school community remain our top priority," the governor said.

He disclosed that the Ogun State Ministries of Environment and Health are working closely with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the exact origin of the methane emissions.

According to him, the latest incident is not isolated, as similar occurrences have been recorded in the school and neighbouring institutions on more than one occasion.

"Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighbouring schools," Abiodun stated.

"What is interesting is that the gas pollution occurred at about the same time in the affected schools, about three schools altogether and this has happened on two separate occasions."

The governor revealed that following the first incident, the state government installed gas analysers in the affected schools to monitor air quality and identify the nature of the substance involved.

The equipment subsequently confirmed that methane gas was responsible for the contamination.

Abiodun said preliminary scientific assessments suggest that geological conditions beneath the affected locations may be linked to the emissions.

"Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions," he explained.

"We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation."

The governor dismissed speculation that the incidents were the result of deliberate actions targeted at educational institutions, describing such claims as unfounded.

He urged residents and members of the public to disregard rumours while experts continue their work.

"In the meantime, we have evacuated the students from the school. The rumour that these incidents are being deliberately targeted at schools is unfounded and should be disregarded.

"This appears to be a natural occurrence, and we are determined to get to the bottom of it," he said.

Abiodun assured parents that students would remain in alternative facilities until authorities are fully satisfied that the environment is safe for academic activities to resume.

"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 added.

The governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to protecting public health and environmental safety, pledging that the findings of the ongoing investigation would guide future actions aimed at preventing a recurrence.

He also assured residents that government agencies would continue to provide updates as more information emerges from the ongoing scientific and environmental assessments.