A large fragment of weathered rock broke off from Iyamopo Hill in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government, Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State on Saturday, June 7, 2025, drawing the attention of residents and visitors.
The incident, which occurred around 4:30 pm on June 7, 2025, was captured by a resident, Muneef Alawode, who shared a video of the detached rock on his Facebook page. No casualties or damage to property were reported.
The rock breakage has been attributed to natural weathering, a geological process where rocks weaken over time due to exposure to environmental factors such as rainfall, intense heat, wind, and biological activity. In Nigeria’s tropical climate, high temperatures and moisture are common causes of rock expansion and erosion, eventually leading to fragmentation.
Reacting to the development, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Engr. Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV, said a similar event occurred in April 2024, though on a smaller scale.
According to him, geologists who examined the site at the time concluded that prolonged heat during the dry season contributed to the expansion and weakening of the rock’s internal structure, causing cracks that eventually led to the detachment.
The monarch noted that some of those cracks remain visible and warned residents to maintain a safe distance from the affected section of the hill and other nearby rock formations.
He urged the public to go about their activities peacefully but remain cautious around the area.