The Kwara State Fire Service has recovered the body of a 52-year-old man, identified as Alaba Ayeni, from a domestic well in Ilorin, the state capital.
The incident occurred beside Lamp Bearers Islamic School, off Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin, where the deceased was found inside the well close to his residence.
The Fire Service disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle.
According to the agency, firefighters received a distress call concerning the incident and arrived at the scene at about 8:42am before commencing a recovery operation.
The operation resulted in the successful recovery of Ayeni’s body from the well.
The Fire Service said the circumstances surrounding how the 52-year-old ended up inside the domestic well had not been established.
It added that information gathered at the scene indicated that children in the neighbourhood first discovered that the man was inside the well and immediately alerted elders in the community.
The agency also noted that the well was located close to the deceased’s residence.
Following the recovery, the body was handed over to the police for further investigation and necessary action.
The Fire Service said the remains were formally handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Bolaji, of the Budo-Nuhu Police Station, Ilorin.
The development has prompted renewed warnings from the state fire authorities over the dangers posed by unsecured domestic wells and other open water sources in residential communities.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, expressed concern over the incident and urged residents to take precautionary measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Muhammed advised owners of domestic wells to ensure that they are properly covered and secured, particularly those located within residential areas.
He also called on parents, guardians and community leaders to ensure that children are not allowed to move around unattended near wells, drainage channels and other potentially hazardous locations.
The Chief Fire Officer extended condolences to the deceased’s family and the affected community, while reaffirming the Fire Service’s commitment to responding promptly to emergencies and protecting lives and property across Kwara State.
The police are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding Ayeni’s death as investigations into the incident continue. At the time of the Fire Service’s statement, there was no official indication of whether the death resulted from an accidental fall or another circumstance.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of maintaining safety around domestic water sources, particularly in densely populated residential areas where uncovered or poorly secured wells can pose serious risks.
Residents have therefore been urged to report emergencies promptly and ensure that potentially dangerous openings around homes and public areas are adequately secured.
