A man has died while trying to save a two-year-old child who fell into a well in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State, as efforts to recover the toddler ended without success.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
The incident occurred on Paul Street, inward Agbe Road, after the toddler, whose mother reportedly worked as a cleaner in the compound, accidentally fell into the well.
A male resident reportedly entered the well in an attempt to rescue the child but became trapped and could not make his way out.
LASEMA said it received a distress call about the incident and immediately dispatched its response team from the Igando Base. On arrival, the responders recovered the man dead.
“The gallant rescuer who attempted the rescue was recovered deceased,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The man’s remains were subsequently handed over to his relatives and members of the Hausa community for burial in line with their customs.
Following the recovery, emergency personnel from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the police continued efforts to locate the missing toddler.
However, the rescue operation was hindered by the large quantity of water and thick mud inside the well. Attempts to drain the water did not produce the expected results.
According to the agency, a specialist local diver was later engaged to conduct a final search of the well. The diver reportedly confirmed that the child had sunk deep into the mud, making recovery difficult.
Only one of the toddler’s shoes was recovered during the operation.
LASEMA said the search was eventually called off following consultations with the child’s family and community leaders.
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The agency expressed condolences to the deceased man’s family and the Hausa community, commending his attempt to save the toddler as an act of uncommon bravery.
It also called on residents to ensure that wells and other potentially dangerous openings around their homes were properly covered and secured to prevent similar tragedies.
The agency further cautioned residents against undertaking hazardous rescue attempts without the necessary expertise and equipment.
It advised members of the public to contact emergency responders through the toll-free numbers 767 or 112 whenever they encounter emergencies requiring professional intervention.