A man has died while attempting to rescue a toddler who fell into a domestic well at Abule Egba, Lagos State, while the child’s body remains unrecovered.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the incident occurred at No. 4, Paul Street, inward Agbe Road, on Tuesday, October 20.

In a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency said it received a distress call at 9:48 a.m. and immediately deployed its response team from the Igando Base.

According to LASEMA, the toddler, whose mother worked as a cleaner in the compound, accidentally fell into the well, prompting a member of the Hausa community to enter it in an attempt to rescue the child.

The man, however, became trapped and was later recovered dead.

The agency said it worked with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct rescue operations despite the well’s depth and high water level.

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

Efforts to recover the toddler were unsuccessful due to the volume of water and thick mud at the bottom of the well.

The agency said dewatering operations proved difficult, prompting the deployment of a specialist local diver for a final search.

The diver reportedly determined that the child’s body had sunk deep into the mud and could not be retrieved, while only one of the toddler’s shoes was recovered.

Following an expert assessment and consultations with the family and community leaders, LASEMA said it concluded the operation and withdrew all responders from the scene.

Oke-Osanyintolu expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the Hausa community, commending the deceased for risking his life in an attempt to save the child.

The Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also extended its condolences to the affected families.

LASEMA urged residents to ensure that wells and other openings within residential premises were properly covered and secured, particularly in homes where young children live.

The agency advised residents to contact its toll-free emergency numbers, 767 and 112, rather than attempt dangerous rescue operations that could result in further casualties. (The Guardian)