A 52-year-old man, Alaba Ayeni, has died after allegedly jumping into a surface well in Ilorin, Kwara State, early Tuesday morning.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident reportedly occurred near Lamp Bearers Islamic School, off Asa-Dam Road, in the state capital.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident, saying it received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 8:42am.
According to reports, Ayeni was a resident of the community and was discovered inside the domestic well by children in the area, who raised the alarm.
A community source, Ambali Raheem, said the children alerted elders after discovering the man inside the well.
“Children in the community discovered that the man was inside the domestic well and immediately reported the situation to elders in the vicinity.”
Raheem added that the well was located close to the deceased’s residence.
The state Fire Service said its personnel immediately commenced a recovery operation upon arrival at the scene.
“On arrival, our firefighters commenced a recovery operation and successfully recovered the body of the deceased, identified as Alaba Ayeni, aged 52.”
The Fire Service said the body was subsequently handed over to the police for further action.
“After the recovery operation, the body was formally handed over to the DPO Bolaji of Budo-Nuhu Police Station, for further necessary action.”
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, expressed concern over the incident and urged residents to properly secure domestic wells and other open water sources around residential areas.
Muhammed also advised parents, guardians and community leaders to ensure that children do not move around unattended near wells, drainage channels and other potentially hazardous areas.
