Residents of Omikunle, Yemetu, in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, were thrown into panic on Sunday after a suspected petroleum product was discovered in several household wells.
Eyewitnesses said the incident was unprecedented in the community, where some of the wells have been in use for over two decades.
“This is the first time we are seeing anything like this. These wells are over 20 years old, and we have always depended on them for drinking water. Now, the water is no longer safe,” a resident told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Another resident explained that security operatives swiftly sealed off the affected area while awaiting intervention from state agencies. “Policemen and neighbourhood watch members have cordoned off the place, pending investigations by the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Energy,” the witness said.
Confirming the development, the Oyo State Police Command said in a statement that the substance appeared to be Automotive Gas Oil (diesel).
“On September 6, around 6:50 p.m., our Yemetu Division received a report about a strange liquid in a local well. A team led by the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene and confirmed that the substance resembled diesel. Some residents had already gathered with containers, seemingly intending to fetch it,” the statement read.
The command noted that preliminary findings suggest the contamination might have originated from a leaking underground storage tank in the vicinity.
“To prevent any health or fire hazard, armed personnel from the Yemetu Division, in collaboration with neighbourhood security groups, have secured the area. The Oyo State Ministry of Environment has been notified for safe handling and disposal,” the police added.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and desist from using the affected wells until investigations are concluded. The police assured that the situation is under control and that further updates would be provided as inquiries progress.
