Lagos Tragedy: Man Dies Trying to Save Toddler Who Fell Into Well
A man has died while attempting to rescue a two-year-old child who fell into a well at Abule Egba, Lagos State, in an incident that has left both families devastated.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
The tragedy occurred at Paul Street, inward Agbe Road, Abule Egba, where the toddler reportedly fell accidentally into a well within a residential compound.
The child’s mother was said to be working as a cleaner in the compound when the incident happened.
According to LASEMA, a resident who tried to save the child climbed down into the well but became trapped and could not make his way back to the surface.
The agency said it received a distress call at about 9:48 a.m. and immediately dispatched an emergency response team from its Igando base to the scene.
However, the operation ended in tragedy, as rescuers recovered the man’s body but could not locate the toddler.
Emergency responders from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force participated in the operation.
Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the rescue team faced significant challenges because of the large volume of water and thick mud at the bottom of the well.
Efforts to drain the water from the well also encountered operational difficulties, prompting the team to bring in a specialist local diver for a final search.
The diver reportedly determined that the toddler had sunk deep into the mud, making recovery impossible under the circumstances.
Only one of the child’s shoes was recovered during the operation.
Following the specialist’s assessment and consultations with the affected family and community leaders, the search was eventually called off.
LASEMA said the deceased man’s remains were handed over to his relatives and members of the Hausa community for burial in line with their customs.
The agency expressed condolences to his family and the wider community, describing his attempt to save the child as an act of exceptional bravery.
Following the incident, LASEMA urged residents to take precautions to prevent similar tragedies, particularly in homes where young children live.
The agency advised property owners and residents to ensure that wells and other potentially dangerous openings within residential compounds were properly covered, raised and secured.
It also warned against attempting dangerous rescues without the necessary training and equipment, noting that such efforts could put additional lives at risk.
The incident highlights the dangers posed by unsecured wells in residential areas and the importance of taking preventive measures to protect children and other residents.
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