Oyo Gov’t Debunks Rumoured Crude Oil Discovery in Ibadan

• Oyo State Governor has denied any discovery of crude oil in the state capital, Ibadan
• Some individuals have spread unconfirmed information of crude oil discovery at Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area of the city
• But Oyo State Government, through its Ministry of Environment, disclosed that it was diesel that was spilt into the well that has served the community for two decades

Oyo State Government has described as baseless the information of crude oil discovery in the state capital, Ibadan.

The Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade, while reacting to the information, dispelled the rumour as misinformation.

Prince 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.

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“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.

Information Commissioner 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 were evacuated from the 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.

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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.

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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.

Source: Legit.ng