52-year-old man dies after jumping into Kwara well

A man in his fifties, identified as Alaba Ayeni, succumbed to his injuries after leaping into an unguarded well during a domestic water source in Ilorin, Kwara State. It is believed that the incident was an attempt at suicide. The tragic event unfolded in close proximity to a well-known educational institution located near Arikewuyo Street. Ayeni had reportedly greeted residents while passing by the location prior to his fatal plunge.

The Kwara State Fire Service, upon being notified of the incident, swiftly arrived at the scene around 8:42am. Firefighters, led by Public Relations Officer Hassan Adekunle, launched an immediate recovery operation, successfully extricating Ayeni's body from the well after approximately an hour. The remains were subsequently handed over to the police for further handling.

However, the fire service is actively pursuing leads in a separate incident where another man reportedly jumped into a river near the Tanke area of Ilorin. The family of the deceased informed authorities about this occurrence, but despite two days of search efforts, the body has not been recovered. This incident has sparked concerns about the safety of unsecured open water sources in residential areas, emphasizing the need for proper coverage and security measures.

Chief Fire Officer Alabi Muhammed has urged residents to take responsibility by securely covering domestic wells and other open water sources to prevent such unfortunate accidents. He also advised parents, guardians, and community leaders to ensure children are supervised and kept away from potentially dangerous areas like wells and drainage channels.

The Kwara State Fire Service expressed their condolences to Ayeni's family and the community, reaffirming their commitment to emergency response and the preservation of lives and property across the state.