Abule Egba Horror: Brave Man Loses Life In Desperate Bid To Save Toddler

A tragic incident has occurred in Abule Egba, Lagos State, after a man died while attempting to rescue a toddler who fell into a domestic well at a residential compound.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the incident happened on Tuesday, October 20, at No. 4, Paul Street, inward Agbe Road. The toddler’s mother reportedly worked as a cleaner at the compound where the incident occurred.

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

LASEMA disclosed that a member of the Hausa community in the area entered the well in an attempt to save the child. However, the man became trapped and was later recovered dead.

The emergency operation involved LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force. Rescue teams reportedly faced significant challenges due to the depth of the well, its high water level and the thick mud at the bottom.

The agency said efforts to recover the toddler were unsuccessful despite attempts to remove water from the well. A specialist local diver was subsequently brought in to conduct a final search.

According to the agency, the diver determined that the toddler’s body had sunk deep into the mud and could not be retrieved. Only one shoe belonging to the child was recovered during the operation.

LASEMA further confirmed that the deceased man’s remains were handed over to his relatives and members of the Hausa community for burial in accordance with their customs.

Following an expert assessment and consultations with the family and community leaders, the agency announced the conclusion of the rescue operation, with all emergency responders returning to their respective bases.

Oke-Osanyintolu expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and the wider Hausa community. He also acknowledged the courage of the man who risked his life in an attempt to save the toddler.