By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students from two secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode following a suspected gas emission, as part of measures to safeguard them against any recurrence and ensure the smooth continuation of academic activities.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the proactive measures were put in place to protect students and ensure uninterrupted examinations while investigations into the incident continue.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Ijebu-Ode, Arigbabu explained that the disruption mainly affected the junior sections of the affected schools, while the senior sections were largely unaffected.
He noted that the government’s immediate priority was to ensure the safety of Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to him, students of Anglican Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS) have been relocated to Adeola Odutola College, while students of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School have been moved to Ijebu Muslim College.
He added that students in other affected classes had been asked to remain at home while authorities continue to monitor the situation.
“With the SSS3 examinations now concluded, the state government is preparing to relocate SSS1 and SSS2 students to alternative schools ahead of the forthcoming Junior Secondary School 3 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE),” he said.
Arigbabu further disclosed that the government had engaged experts from the Health Sciences and Geology departments of Olabisi Onabanjo University to determine the source of the incident.
He said preliminary findings suggested that the anomaly could have resulted from a gas pipeline leak or a geological fault line, adding that a comprehensive report is expected within the next few days or weeks.
The commissioner also announced that ambulances would remain on standby at the relocation centres, while gas analysers would be deployed to continuously monitor air quality and detect any potential hazards.
He stressed that special attention would be given to students with underlying health conditions to ensure they were not exposed to any risks during the relocation period.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, said preliminary assessments indicated that Ijebu-Ode might be sitting on significant natural gas deposits.
He explained that although methane is not toxic, it can displace oxygen in the atmosphere, leading to symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and confusion.
Oresanya added that if properly managed, the gas could be safely depressurised and harnessed to provide economic benefits for the state.
Providing further technical insights, experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Philip Ikhane and Dr. Olukayode Oluwakemi, said ongoing gas analyses were aimed at identifying the exact cause of the incident.
They stated that mining activities had been ruled out, leaving borehole drilling or natural geological processes as the most likely causes under investigation.
The experts assured parents and other stakeholders that every necessary measure was being taken to restore normal academic activities in a safe and conducive environment, adding that further updates would be provided once the geological and environmental assessments are completed.