The Ogun State Government has said it may evacuate residents of affected communities in Ijebuland if investigations establish that recurring gas emissions pose a risk of death or permanent damage to human health.

The commissioner for environment, Ola Oresanya, gave the assurance on Thursday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, following the recent incident which reportedly sent more than 100 pupils to hospital after exposure to a strong chemical odour.

The incidents, which began on 1 April, have repeatedly affected schools and communities in Ijebuland. At least 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, during the first reported incident. More than 100 students and teachers were affected on 15 May, while 69 students were hospitalised following another occurrence on 3 June.

The latest incident reportedly affected more than 100 pupils in parts of Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye, renewing concerns about the source of the emissions and the safety of residents.

Oresanya said the state government had recorded about five incidents since April, adding that the latest occurrence was particularly concerning because of reports from additional locations, including Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo.

“From the first incident till now, we told you the kind of gas it is and that gas will not kill anybody. We told you that. It can be discomforting though,” he said.

The commissioner added that the government had assured residents that the emissions would not result in fatalities, but acknowledged that further investigations were necessary to establish the full extent of the potential health risks.

He said the government would consider immediate relocation if the findings showed that continued exposure could cause death or permanent damage to human health.

“All we can do, until we find out that this may kill or affect their health permanently, we may relocate them immediately”.

Oresanya explained that the government was working with scientists and relevant federal agencies to determine the source of the emissions before deciding on a permanent solution.

He cautioned against rushing into interventions without establishing the underlying cause, saying an incorrect assessment could lead to ineffective measures.

“You must have a deep understanding of your problem before you rush into a solution. Why do you want to rush into a wrong solution?

According to the commissioner, investigations by the department of earth sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University, alongside gas analyses conducted by the state government, had detected methane in air samples collected around the affected areas.

He said the government had been monitoring gas levels in Ijebu-Ode since the first reported incident and was collaborating with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and relevant technical teams to determine whether the emissions originated from shallow or deep underground gas reservoirs.

Oresanya said preliminary geological findings indicated that parts of Ijebu-Ode were situated on shale formations that could contain gas. However, he described the latest incident in Ago-Iwoye as particularly significant because of the area’s different geological composition.

“Ijebu-Ode and its environs is sitting right on gas reservoirs, generally. So, what we have right now, from the aeromagnetic survey investigation that was carried out, Ijebu-Ode is on a kind of formation called shale. So, and that’s about 0 to 150 metres in depth around the area.”

He added: “What occurred yesterday is surprising, because I know Ago-Iwoye is in a basement complex and the basement complex is more of a rock than sedimentary.”

The commissioner said that if investigations confirmed the presence of a shallow gas reservoir, technical experts could consider drilling a well at an appropriate location to relieve pressure and control the emissions.

He warned, however, that if the incidents were linked to tectonic activity, the response would require more extensive intervention and decisions at the federal level.

“If it’s tectonic, that’s a bigger issue. That is going to be something at the federal level that decisions have to be taken and it’s beyond us. And that means we have to do something to avoid any form of human catastrophe.”

Oresanya insisted that the government would continue to support affected communities while the investigations were under way.

“We are not leaving the parents to their fate,” he said, adding that the government had engaged stakeholders to explain the situation and communicate precautionary measures.”

He also acknowledged the need to improve the speed of public alerts, noting that monitoring sensors could detect sudden increases in gas concentrations within a short period, leaving officials with limited time to activate existing emergency response procedures.

The recurring incidents have heightened concerns about environmental safety and the welfare of schoolchildren in Ijebuland, with parents and residents seeking a lasting solution to a problem first reported in April.

The state government has yet to establish conclusively the source of the emissions, with further scientific investigations expected to guide decisions on the appropriate response and whether affected communities may need to be evacuated.