The Ogun State Government has revealed that investigations into the persistent gas emissions in parts of Ijebu-Ode and its surroundings have reached an advanced scientific stage, with early findings pointing to possible geological activity beneath the affected areas.
Commissioner's Statement
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ola Oresanya, stated that the state has narrowed the potential sources of the emissions to subsurface geological movements along a suspected linear fault zone cutting across parts of the town.
Recall that the recurring gas emission crisis in Ijebu-Ode has reportedly hospitalized over 200 students and teachers across three separate incidents within the last two months. The panic began in early April 2026 when an initial chemical odor at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School (OLAS) sent about 30 victims to the hospital. This was followed by a second methane-related incident in May, which reportedly recorded 13,500 parts per million (ppm) and later spread to Anglican Girls Grammar School. During the latest outbreak in June, about 69 victims, mainly students suffering from severe dizziness, nausea, and fainting spells, were rushed to the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital and nearby private clinics.
While the Ogun State Ministry of Health confirmed that all affected persons were treated and discharged, the recurring incidents prompted AfriSAFE and concerned residents to demand a comprehensive forensic investigation into the source of the emissions.
Geological Findings
According to Oresanya, findings from ongoing geological assessments, sensor readings, and field investigations coordinated with technical experts suggest that the emissions may be linked to underground geological fault lines. “Yes, we’ve made appreciable progress with our search, and we’ve succeeded in eliminating locations or sources that are not part of it. We have now been able to zero in on the fact that the gas may actually be coming from the Earth’s crust, and that has been confirmed by geological findings,” he said.
He explained that investigators had identified what he described as a “linear geological connection” linking the affected locations. “All the points where the gas is being detected appear to lie along a straight subsurface alignment, suggesting a shared underground pathway,” he stated.
The Commissioner said experts are currently reviewing whether the emissions are caused by natural tectonic activity or influenced by human activities such as quarry blasting. “We are reviewing whether this is purely tectonic in nature, meaning the earth is releasing gas through natural crustal movements, or whether it is being enhanced by human activity underground,” he added.
Comparison to Borehole Incidents
Oresanya compared the suspected process to incidents often encountered during deep borehole drilling, where trapped gases suddenly escape from underground. “For instance, when people are drilling wells, there are cases where gas comes up from underground, and some workers even faint inside the wells. That is the kind of gas situation we are probing right now, whether it is coming from the Earth’s crust through underground cracks connected to these schools,” he explained.
The Commissioner confirmed that quarry operations within the broader area are also being investigated as a possible contributing factor, noting that vibrations from blasting activities could create or widen underground channels through which gases may escape. However, he stressed that no final conclusion had been reached. The state government has ordered a shutdown of pipelines in the area as a precautionary measure while investigations continue.
