The Ogun State Government has disclosed that investigations into the unusual gas emissions reported in parts of Ijebu Ode and its environs have reached a critical scientific stage, with early findings pointing to possible geological activity beneath the affected axis.
Speaking on Monday during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ola Oresanya, said the state had narrowed the possible 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, Ogun State, has hospitalized over 200 students and teachers across three distinct waves spanning 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 30 victims to the hospital, followed by a second, highly toxic methane wave on May 15, 2026, that registered 13,500 ppm and expanded to Anglican Girls Grammar School.
During this latest June outbreak, 69 victims, primarily students exhibiting severe dizziness, nausea, and fainting spells, were rushed to the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital and surrounding private clinics.
While the Ogun State Ministry of Health successfully treated and discharged all affected individuals, the recurring nature of the emissions prompted AfriSAFE and local residents to demand an aggressive forensic audit, eventually forcing the state government to trace the source away from industrial pipelines and down to deep underground geological fault lines running right beneath the school grounds.
ORESANYA: “WE HAVE ZEROED IN ON THE EARTH’S CRUST”
Oresanya explained that the findings were based on ongoing geological assessments, sensor readings, and field investigations coordinated with technical experts.
According to him,
“yes, we’ve made appreciable progress with our search, and we’ve succeeded in eliminating those locations or sources that are not part of it, and we’ve been able to zero in, finally, on the fact that the gas may actually be coming from the Earth’s crust, and that has been confirmed by the geology that was brought to the investigation table. And right now, because we have the literature to support this whole idea, and to confirm that we have the Earth’s crust, we have factions on the floor that connects all these schools, and the areas where you perceive this gas, all of them are on the same straight line on the front line. So, it’s like a connecting source for all these areas. Now, what we are reviewing this morning now, is whether the gas is out of a tectonic activity. Tectonic means the Earth’s crust itself, bringing the gas up.”
He stressed that the phenomenon may be linked to either tectonic activity or underground disturbance.
Oresanya noted that scientific data gathered so far suggests that the emissions may be originating from deep beneath the earth’s surface and surfacing through natural or induced fractures.
He explained that the investigation team had identified what he described as a “linear geological connection” between affected locations.
The Commissioner stated that,
“all the points where the gas is being detected appear to lie along a straight subsurface alignment, suggesting a shared underground pathway.”
He added that further verification was ongoing to determine whether the emissions are strictly natural or influenced by human-induced activities such as quarry blasting.
TECTONIC REVIEW: EARTH MOVEMENT UNDER SCRUTINY
Oresanya said experts are currently examining whether the phenomenon is linked to tectonic movements beneath the region.
He described tectonic activity as the shifting or movement of the earth’s crust, which can release trapped gases to the surface through fractures.
In his words,
“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 compared the suspected process to underground gas release often encountered during deep borehole drilling, where trapped gases sometimes escape suddenly.
“Like the kind of, you know, when you are drilling a well, and when people get inside the well, I’m trying to make it easy for our people to understand. And you have all these mallam that drill wells. They tell you right under the well, there’s gas coming up from there. I mean, you know, some of them can even faint inside the well. That’s the kind of gas that we are probing right now. That is it coming from the Earth’s crust now, and through the cracks that connect these schools.”
QUARRY AND MINING OPERATIONS UNDER WATCH
The Commissioner confirmed that quarry operations within the broader axis are also being considered as a potential contributing factor.
He explained that vibrations from blasting activities could potentially open or widen underground channels through which gases might migrate.
However, he clarified that no final conclusion had been reached.
“Well, we have to establish these facts first, and be sure what we are dealing with. And we don’t want to start applying medication when you have not finished your diagnosis. So we are still in the process of completing what we are actually dealing with. Then solutions, yes, have to come from every angle. People who have such experience before, they will bring their idea to the table. And for those of us who are here also, we will look at our level of preparedness, and what we need to tell our people, and what should be the responsibilities of our people. But if this is due to just quarry activities, then we can easily stop mining activities around Ijebu Ode That was just the government policy and action”, he said.
PIPELINE SHUTDOWN AND SAFETY CONTAINMENT
Preliminary readings from installed monitoring devices indicate that the emissions are largely composed of methane and traces of hydrogen sulphide.
Oresanya described methane as a highly volatile gas that is lighter than air but capable of displacing oxygen in enclosed environments.
He noted that hydrogen sulphide, though present in smaller quantities, is also naturally occurring under anaerobic underground conditions.
He stated that,
“these gases exist naturally beneath the earth where oxygen is absent, and once released, they quickly dissipate into the atmosphere.”
As a precautionary measure, the state government has ordered the suspension of gas pipeline operations in the affected area to rule out any possibility of leakage:
We have stopped that to make sure that we eliminate all possibilities. We have not really stopped the quarry activities, but when we conclude our meeting later today, investigating further, if we are able to zero in on quarry activities, then we will stop them immediately.
Oresanya said the decision was purely preventive and not indicative of a confirmed fault in pipeline infrastructure.
2028 EARTHQUAKE POSSIBILITY
Meanwhile Oresanya also referenced an academic lecture which suggested that the area may experience a possible earthquake by 2028, a claim he said should not be dismissed in the ongoing scientific investigation of the phenomenon.
Oresanya made the reference while responding to questions on possible geological explanations for the gas emissions affecting schools and communities in the area, noting that the ongoing probe had begun to consider deeper subsurface movements of the earth’s crust as part of its findings.
He explained that the discussion was informed by academic presentations delivered within the region’s scientific community.
According to him, the possibility of future seismic activity had previously been mentioned in an inaugural lecture delivered at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, where a professor of Solid Earth Physics reportedly examined the geological structure of the area and its implications.
Oresanya noted that the lecture, delivered earlier in 2026, formed part of broader academic discourse on the stability of the region.
Speaking during the programme, Oresanya said the lecture had drawn attention to long-term geological risks that should not be ignored in the ongoing investigation.
“Yes, exactly, exactly. Just April this year, there was a presentation by a professor from Tai Solarin University. I think that the professor gave an inaugural lecture in April 2026, this year, just a few months ago,” he said.
He added that the academic raised concerns about possible future seismic activity in the region.
“She gave an inaugural lecture on the fact that Ijebu Ode may witness an earthquake in 2028. She wrote it. And you don’t have to dismiss that statement, even with what is happening right now,” Oresanya stated.
SCHOOLS UNDER SURVEILLANCE AND SAFETY MONITORING
Several schools, including institutions identified along the suspected geological alignment such as Our Lady of Apostles School and other affected secondary schools in Ijebu Ode, have also been placed under close environmental monitoring.
The Commissioner explained that gas detection devices have been installed within and around these schools to track emissions in real time.
Oresanya firmly dismissed speculations suggesting sabotage, chemical attack, or industrial contamination.
He revealed that security agencies were involved in sweeping the area as part of the investigation.
According to him, surveillance footage from school-installed CCTV systems showed no suspicious activity during the incidents.
He said,
“We installed gas probes to ensure that we know exactly what it is not. So, we brought in security, the DSS, the Amotekun, everywhere was combed to make sure it is not a sabotage. It is not a deliberate attack on our children”, he clarified.
NO SCHOOL SHUTDOWN ORDER
Despite panic among residents and repeated medical incidents, the government insists there is no directive shutting down schools in Ijebu Ode.
Oresanya maintained that academic activities should continue under safety monitoring protocols already introduced.
He argued that blanket school closures were unnecessary given the current evidence.
He said,
“there is no instruction to close schools. We must not create panic where it is not justified.”
HOSPITAL CASES AND PANIC EXPLANATION
The Commissioner further addressed reports of students being rushed to hospitals following suspected gas exposure incidents.
He explained that while some students experienced mild respiratory discomfort, most cases treated were related to panic and anxiety reactions.
According to him, “The last one that happened, the 40 students that came in are part of the 100 before. And out of those 40, about 27 of them were asthmatic patients naturally. And they were given oxygen and then they went home in stable condition. The remaining said they were just traumatized.”
PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
As part of interim safety measures, schools have been advised to adopt simple protective practices to reduce inhalation risks.
According to the commissioner:
“But if it ever happens again, just the way we stabilize, if the children can just do simple preventive measures of putting wet handkerchief, or soak the handkerchief in water, and put it across their nose, we will not have reasons to take any of the children to the hospital.”
The commissioner described the measure as a stopgap protocol pending scientific conclusions.
He insisted that psychological panic played a major role in the number of reported medical cases.
The state government has also deployed ambulances and emergency medical units across affected schools, equipped with oxygen tanks and first-aid tools.
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION AND SEISMIC STUDIES
The state government confirmed collaboration with geological experts from local and federal institutions:
“We are already working with the professors from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, from the Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta and also the Federal Ministry, the Federal Agency that is in charge of gas, NNPC, and others like that. So, right now, the next one, we are going to invite the Geological Survey, because it was only on Thursday, we were able to connect this nexus with the Earth Crust”, the commissioner disclosed.
Oresanya acknowledged public concern over speculation linking the phenomenon to possible seismic activity.
He referenced academic discussions by geoscience experts who previously suggested long-term geological risks in the region.
However, he cautioned against drawing conclusions without conclusive scientific validation.
CALLERS’ PERSPECTIVE: DRUG THEORY DISMISSED
A caller, Ayodele from Ilese, had raised concerns about an NDLEA-related operation involving alleged methamphetamine production, suggesting airborne chemical dispersion.
Responding directly, Oresanya stated that:
“There is absolutely no connection between the drug bust and what we are experiencing in Ijebu Ode. We have eliminated that possibility completely. The pattern we are seeing is consistent across locations along a geological line, not isolated chemical activity”, he clarified.
Another caller urged broader emergency preparedness and suspension of quarry activities.
Oresanya responded that:
“We agree that safety measures must extend beyond schools, but policy must follow facts. We cannot suspend activities without confirming their relevance to the situation,” he said.
Responding to another caller, Oresanya confirmed that laboratory analysis had identified methane as the dominant gas in the emissions.
He explained that methane is highly flammable under specific conditions, particularly in confined environments.
“Yes, methane is highly flammable when trapped. That is why we are conducting continuous monitoring along the suspected underground pathway to ensure safety,” he stated.
The Commissioner disclosed that geological surveys were ongoing along what he described as a subsurface fracture line stretching across Ijebu Ode.
According to him, monitoring equipment had been installed in schools and public spaces to track gas emissions in real time.
“We have gas analyzers installed in key locations, including schools and markets. These instruments are helping us identify emission points along the underground line,” he explained.
Oresanya reiterated the government’s advisory that students use damp cloths as a temporary protective measure during suspected emission episodes.
He further endorsed suggestions from callers that students carry bottled water for emergency use.
“We will incorporate the suggestion that students carry water bottles. It is a practical addition to our existing protocol,” he said.
A caller, Segun from Ilese, referenced historical earth tremors reported in the 1980s, claiming repeated ground movement along the same axis.
He described past incidents that affected buildings and public gatherings.
“There have been tremors along this same line in the past. What we are seeing today may not be isolated. It may be a continuation of something geological,” he said.
Responding, the commissioner admitted that the historical account provided new investigative direction:
So, maybe we are witnessing another episode of that tremor coming up again now. And, you know, usually when you have a displacement under the ground, the first thing that comes is the gas that is overlying the structures. And maybe the gas will be long cut, maybe not”, he said.
As investigations continue, Ogun State insists it is working with scientific precision to determine whether Ijebu-Ode is witnessing a natural tectonic release, a man-induced underground disturbance, or a combination of both while urging residents to remain calm amid rising public anxiety.
