By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Government has temporarily relocated students of Our Lady of Apostles Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, following renewed concerns over chemical inhalation linked to methane gas pollution on the school premises.

Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the decision on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the school, explaining that the move was necessary to protect students, teachers and other members of the school community while investigations continue.

He said preliminary findings confirmed the presence of methane gas in the affected environment, prompting renewed scientific and environmental assessments to determine the source and cause of the contamination.

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

“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,” he added.

Abiodun disclosed that gas analysers had earlier been installed after the first incident and that results now point to methane emissions.

According to him, the state government is working with the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University to investigate possible geological causes, including suspected fault lines.

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

The governor assured residents that the government remains committed to ensuring the safety of students and the wider community, stressing that the school will remain closed until the environment is certified safe.

“In the meantime, we have evacuated the students from the school… until we are satisfied that the environment is completely safe and conducive for learning, they will not return,” he said.

He also dismissed speculation that the incidents were deliberate, describing them as likely natural occurrences while urging calm as investigations continue.