A man has died while attempting to rescue a two-year-old child who fell into a domestic well at Abule Egba, Lagos State, but the toddler’s body could not be recovered.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) disclosed this in a statement by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at Paul Street, inward Agbe Road. The toddler, whose mother worked as a cleaner in the compound, reportedly fell into the well accidentally.
A male resident descended into the well to rescue the child but became trapped and could not climb out.
LASEMA said it received a distress call at 9:48 a.m. and deployed its response team from the Igando Base, but the man was found d+ead.
“The gallant rescuer who attempted the rescue was recovered deceased,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
His remains were handed over to his relatives and members of the Hausa community for burial according to their customs.
Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the police, launched an operation to recover the toddler.
However, the high volume of water and thick mud hampered the search. Despite dewatering efforts, the child’s body remained unrecovered.
“A specialist local diver was eventually deployed for a final search and confirmed that the toddler’s body had gone deep into the mud and could no longer be recovered, with only a single shoe recovered,” the statement added.
LASEMA said the operation ended after consultations with the family and community leaders. It commiserated with the rescuer’s family and the Hausa community, describing his actions as an act of uncommon bravery.
The agency urged residents to secure wells and other openings around their homes and call emergency responders on 767 or 112 rather than attempt dangerous rescues.
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