Repeated Gas Leaks Force Ogun to Relocate Secondary School Students

The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, following a recent chemical inhalation incident linked to suspected gas contamination on the school premises.

The relocation was announced as investigations continue into the repeated gas leaks that have affected the school and neighbouring institutions.

Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the school, where he stated that preliminary investigations had confirmed the presence of methane gas in the affected area.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, said the decision was taken to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and other members of the school community.

The governor explained that the temporary relocation would also provide experts with the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation into the source of the contamination and recommend appropriate measures.

He said the state government, through the Ministries of Environment and Health, is collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, to determine the cause of the gas emissions.

“Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighbouring schools,” Abiodun said.

He noted that the incidents occurred around the same period in about three schools and had happened on two separate occasions.

According to the governor, gas analysers were installed across the affected schools after the first incident to determine the type and concentration of the substance responsible for the pollution.

He said the analysis has now confirmed the presence of methane gas, while preliminary findings suggest that geological factors, including possible fault lines in the affected locations, may be responsible for the emissions.

“We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,” he said.

The governor assured residents that the government would continue to work with relevant experts and agencies to establish the source of the gas leaks and implement measures to prevent further occurrences.

The repeated incidents have raised concerns among parents, school authorities and residents, with authorities emphasising that the safety of students remains a priority throughout the investigation period.