Students and Teachers Fall Sick from Gas Emissions in Ogun Community

The Ogun State Government has rejected traditional explanations for the ongoing gas emissions in Ijebu-Ode areas.

They say these events are natural geological happenings linked to fault lines. The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, shared this during a town hall meeting in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some students and teachers ended up in the hospital after possibly being exposed to a chemical smell. This has happened three times this year in different schools in Ijebu-Ode.

Mr Oresanya explained that investigations showed methane and sulphide gases caused the emissions. He said these gases came out through underground cracks along known fault lines. “The occurrence is not traditional mythology but a natural geological process,” Mr Oresanya stated.

He pointed out that the Ifewara-Zungeru trans-Atlantic fault line is a key reason for these incidents. The commissioner said this fault line runs from Mojoda through Ijebu-Ode to Osun. He mentioned that the affected schools are located along this geological path.

Mr Oresanya noted that the area used to be a forest and mostly empty before missionaries settled there. He suggested that abandoned lands were given to missionaries, which led to the schools being built in those areas.

The commissioner said further lab tests would help find out the exact source of the gases. He added that researchers are looking into whether the gases are thermogenic or methanogenic. The government is also checking for possible natural gas deposits under the communities.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, has asked residents to stay calm. She advised people to follow safety tips when gas emissions happen.

“Cover your nose with a wet handkerchief and avoid face masks,” Ms Coker suggested. She explained that masks might not be safe during these events and recommended taking immediate actions.

Ms Coker also encouraged residents who need help to call the emergency health line. The state government's emergency number is 08112000033.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbadu, spoke about school closures. He said the affected schools would reopen after talking to the necessary stakeholders. He asked parents to let the government finish all safety checks before reopening.

These checks involve school principals and zonal education officers. Philip Ikhane from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun, appealed to residents to stay calm.

Mr Ikhane, a professor, warned against actions that might make the geological situation worse. He specifically cautioned against too much borehole drilling and quarry blasting.

Stakeholders praised the government for stepping in and continuing to investigate the incidents. They urged residents to quickly use emergency contacts if something happens again.