The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, has assured residents of Ijebu-Ode that the state government will not relent in its efforts to uncover the source of the recurring air pollution incidents affecting schools and surrounding communities, declaring that he would remain in the town until a permanent solution is found.
Oresanya made the pledge during a visit to Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School following the latest recurrence of the mysterious incident on Wednesday, when several students reportedly experienced respiratory distress and were rushed to the State Hospital for medical attention. All affected students were stabilised and no fatalities were recorded.
The recurring incidents have generated growing concern among parents, teachers and residents, particularly as similar occurrences have been reported around Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School and Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS) in recent months.
Speaking during the inspection, the commissioner assured the community of the government’s commitment to resolving the situation.
“We are here full-time, and I am going to remain here until I can confidently assure our people that nothing harmful will happen again,” he said.
According to Oresanya, investigations carried out by the state government have confirmed the presence of methane gas in the affected locations, prompting environmental experts to focus on identifying the exact source of the emissions.
He explained that when the incidents first occurred, government officials initially suspected human activities due to the unusual nature of the phenomenon. Environmental officers subsequently investigated possible chemical-related activities and other local practices within the community, but those possibilities were gradually ruled out.
The commissioner disclosed that gas detection devices deployed by the state government around the affected schools later identified methane as the dominant gas present during subsequent incidents.
Following the discovery, authorities expanded their investigation to focus on two major possibilities: emissions from gas infrastructure and naturally occurring underground geological activity.
As a precautionary measure, the Ogun State Government directed a gas supply company operating within the vicinity to temporarily shut down its valves pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
“The safety and wellbeing of our people remain our highest priority. Human lives are more important than any economic consideration,” Oresanya stated.
He revealed that a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from the Ogun State Government, the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University and the Federal University of Agriculture is currently working to determine whether the methane emissions originate from underground geological formations or industrial infrastructure.
According to him, investigators are examining a five-kilometre radius around the affected areas while also studying underground fault lines and other geological structures that could potentially allow gas migration beneath residential communities and school environments.
Addressing public concerns, Oresanya dismissed speculations that the incidents were linked to criminal activities, sabotage or deliberate actions by individuals.
“This is not a security or banditry issue,” he said, noting that the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies have remained actively involved in monitoring developments.
He added that surveillance drones and additional security personnel have been deployed to support ongoing investigations and ensure public safety.
To further safeguard students and school personnel, ambulances and emergency medical teams have been stationed at the affected schools while investigations continue.
The commissioner reiterated that the government would not rest until the exact source of the emissions is identified and a lasting solution implemented.
The latest incident is the third major occurrence linked to the mysterious gas emissions in Ijebu-Ode this year. The first incident occurred on April 1, 2026, when dozens of students and teachers at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School were hospitalised after inhaling an unidentified gaseous substance. The development prompted Governor Dapo Abiodun to immediately order a comprehensive investigation and deploy environmental monitoring equipment to the area.
A second major incident occurred on May 15, affecting students in several schools, including Anglican Girls Grammar School and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School. Environmental monitoring devices subsequently detected elevated methane levels, intensifying concerns among residents and public health officials.
Despite weeks of investigations involving environmental experts, geologists, health professionals and security agencies, the exact source of the emissions has yet to be conclusively established.
The latest recurrence on June 2 has renewed public concern and further intensified efforts by the Ogun State Government to uncover the root cause of the problem.
For concerned parents, residents and stakeholders, Oresanya’s message was unequivocal: the government will remain fully engaged on the ground until answers are found, the source is identified, and normalcy is completely restored to the affected communities.
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