Tragedy in Abule Egba as Man Dies While Trying to Rescue Toddler Who Fell into Well

A man has died while attempting to rescue a toddler who fell into a domestic well at Abule Egba, Lagos State, while the child’s body remains unrecovered despite a search operation by emergency responders.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 20, at No. 4, Paul Street, inward Agbe Road, after the toddler, whose mother reportedly worked as a cleaner in the compound, accidentally fell into the well.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said it received a distress call at about 9:48 a.m. and immediately deployed its response team from the Igando Base.

According to the agency, a member of the Hausa community in the area entered the well in an attempt to save the child but became trapped and was subsequently recovered dead.

LASEMA, alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force, coordinated rescue efforts despite the difficult conditions inside the well.

The agency said efforts to recover the toddler were hampered by the high water level and thick mud at the bottom of the well.

It explained that attempts to remove the water proved challenging, leading to the deployment of a specialist local diver to conduct a final search.

However, the diver reportedly determined that the toddler had sunk deep into the mud and could not be retrieved. Only one of the child’s shoes was recovered during the operation.

Following an expert assessment and consultations with the family and community leaders, LASEMA announced the conclusion of the search operation, with all emergency responders returning to their base.

The remains of the deceased rescuer were handed over to his relatives and members of the Hausa community for burial in accordance with their customs.

Oke-Osanyintolu expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the Hausa community, acknowledging the man’s courage in risking his life in an attempt to save the toddler.

The Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also commiserated with the families affected by the tragedy.

As part of measures to prevent similar incidents, LASEMA urged residents to ensure that wells and other openings within residential premises are properly covered, raised and secured, particularly in homes where young children are present.

The agency further advised residents against attempting dangerous self-rescue operations and encouraged them to contact emergency responders through the toll-free numbers 767 and 112 whenever such incidents occur.

The tragedy has highlighted the dangers posed by unsecured domestic wells and the need for residents to take precautionary measures to protect children and prevent further loss of lives.