The Oyo State Police Command says it has discovered a liquid substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, trapped in a well at Omikunle area of Yemetu, Ibadan.
The Command, in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, said the matter was reported to the Yemetu Divisional Police Headquarters at about 6:50 p.m. on Saturday.
It said operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, a Chief Superintendent of Police, moved to the scene immediately after receiving the report.
“On arrival, a lubricant suspected to be diesel, believed to have leaked from an underground storage tank, was found inside the well. Some residents were already attempting to scoop the substance before the police intervened,” it said.
The statement added that the area was immediately secured by armed personnel from the Yemetu Division in collaboration with local neighbourhood watch members.
It said the Oyo State Ministry of Environment had also been contacted to handle the safe disposal of the substance to prevent possible health and security risks.
According to the Command, normalcy has since returned to the area while investigations into the source of the leakage continue.
It urged residents to remain calm and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.