Residents of Igbeti, a town known for its rocky terrain in Olorunsogo Local Government Area, were thrown into panic on Saturday as parts of the Iyamopo Rock began to break down into smaller fragments, causing a series of minor eruptions.
Eyewitnesses reported that the exfoliation — which occurred three times within a span of 10 minutes — mirrored a similar incident in April 2024. The sudden activity caused alarm among locals, especially those living near the base of the mountain.
According to geologists, the phenomenon is known as sheeting, a natural geological process that occurs when the pressure on the outer layers of a rock is reduced, leading to the peeling or breaking off of surface layers. This process is common in coarse-grained rocks such as granite and is influenced by pressure release, temperature changes, and chemical weathering.
Speaking on the incident, the Head of Disaster Management Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, DCC Olasedidun A.G., confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
“It was gathered from our officers today that an activity suspected to be a landslide occurred in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area. Observations from the scene indicated that there was an initial and sudden noise of an explosion, precisely on the mountain popularly called Iyamopo Hill,” DCC Olasedidun stated during a stakeholders’ briefing.
He further explained that the blast was followed by a gradual disintegration of the rocks down the hill, triggering a landslide that sent residents into panic. He noted that a similar event took place on the same rock last year, believed to have been caused by intense heat recorded on the mountain.
“This assertion was reached since blasting of rocks is not permitted on the mountain by human activities,” he added.
A local resident told our reporter that the eruption happened in rapid succession. “It occurred three times within 10 minutes, just like it did last April. Everyone was afraid,” the resident recounted.
The Onigbeti of Igbeti Land, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Bashir Olalekan Abioye (Siyanbola IV), confirmed that experts have been consulted to assess the situation. He advised residents living near the mountain to temporarily vacate their homes as a safety measure.
“The professionals have assured us that there is no immediate cause for alarm. However, people should relocate from the vicinity to prevent possible loss of life or property in the event of another incident,” the monarch stated.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely and have pledged to keep the public informed.
