Oyo Government Debunks Rumoured Crude Oil Discovery in Ibadan
- Oyo state government has denied any discovery of crude oil in the state capital, Ibadan
- Some individuals had spread unconfirmed information of crude oil discovery at Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area of the city
- The findings of the ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, however, were contrary to the speculations, putting the issue to rest
Oyo state government has described as baseless the information of crude oil discovery in the state capital, Ibadan.
The state's commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, while reacting to the situation, dispelled the rumours as misinformation.
Source: Facebook
Oyelade said the reported discovery of crude oil in a well at Yemetu area of Ibadan North Local Government has no trace of crude oil.
Diesel, not crude, was found in the Yemetu well
Prince Dotun Oyelade disclosed that the substance found in a well in Yemetu, Ibadan, was diesel that spilt into the well over time.
"The government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, clarified that their investigations revealed the substance found was diesel, not crude oil."
Investigation revealed how and location of the substance
According to Oyelade, Officials of the Ministry of Environment launched a three-day investigation following a petition received on September 8, 2025, regarding suspected water pollution at a house in Yemetu Igosun.
Source: Original
Oyelade noted that, "Findings showed that a well, which had served residents for nearly 20 years without contamination, was suddenly polluted with diesel that completely covered the water surface."
250 litres of diesel evacuated from well
He revealed that about 250 litres of the substance were later recovered from the well by security operatives.
Investigators also inspected a cell tower located less than three meters from the affected well but confirmed there was no evidence linking the facility to the contamination.
The pollution was said to have occurred within six hours, raising suspicions of sharp practices within the community, which has a history of unrest.
To cushion the impact of the water pollution on the residents, the state government, through the Oyo State Water Corporation, provided 5,000 litres of potable water to the affected households.
Water evacuation necessary
Legit.ng correspondent gathered that the well was evacuated for proper disposal of the contaminated water by accredited waste contractors, while the well undergoes natural remediation.
The ministry also requested security agencies to intensify investigations and directed the high mast owners to provide a borehole for the community as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The commissioner for information, Prince Oyelade, assured members of the public that the protection of their lives remains the priority of the government.
He reassured the public that Oyo state Government is committed to protecting lives, public health, and the environment.
It further admonished residents to desist from spreading unverified or sensational news capable of causing unnecessary panic and social unrest.
Diesel found in Ibadan well
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a suspected diesel leak has been discovered in a well in the Omikunle area of Yemetu, Ibadan, prompting swift action from local authorities.
The Oyo state Police Command has confirmed the presence of automotive gas oil and has secured the site to prevent contamination and theft.
Preliminary findings have suggested that the contamination of the well may have originated from a nearby underground storage tank leak.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng
Ridwan Kolawole (Oyo State Correspondent) Oyo state's regional correspondent Ridwan Kolawole has over a decade of journalism practice, covering politics, crimes/conflict, education, and social issues. For passion and knowledge mobilisation, Ridwan practices journalism and teaches it at the University of Ibadan.
