Tragedy struck last Sunday at
Ita-Oluwo area of Lagos State as a three-year-old boy, Samuel Emmanuel
Oluwatunmise, fell into a deep well while playing with his mates. His immediate
elder brother was, however, prevented from falling into the same well.
Ita-Oluwo area of Lagos State as a three-year-old boy, Samuel Emmanuel
Oluwatunmise, fell into a deep well while playing with his mates. His immediate
elder brother was, however, prevented from falling into the same well.
The incident occurred at 3pm near
Ayinla Avenue, off Gasline, when the infant in company of his four years old
sibling and two other children went to a neighbouring house where the incident
took place.
Ayinla Avenue, off Gasline, when the infant in company of his four years old
sibling and two other children went to a neighbouring house where the incident
took place.
According to eye witnesses’
account, the abandoned well was dug for domestic purposes about a decade ago
but was later abandoned when water was not forthcoming.
account, the abandoned well was dug for domestic purposes about a decade ago
but was later abandoned when water was not forthcoming.
Ouwatunmise’s elder brother,
Ayoola, told Vanguard the well in question had been in the vicinity for many
years and that it was not the first time children had been playing near it.
Ayoola, told Vanguard the well in question had been in the vicinity for many
years and that it was not the first time children had been playing near it.
He, however, lamented negligence
on the part of the owner of the well who left it uncovered for years.
on the part of the owner of the well who left it uncovered for years.
When Vanguard visited the area
yesterday, the deceased had been buried while sympathisers were at the scene to
condole the parents.
yesterday, the deceased had been buried while sympathisers were at the scene to
condole the parents.
It was also observed that the well
in question was almost parallel to the earth surface and was uncovered at the
time of the visit.
in question was almost parallel to the earth surface and was uncovered at the
time of the visit.
Mother, Kikelomo, 40, a native of
Ondo State, wept profusely as she narrated her ordeal.
Ondo State, wept profusely as she narrated her ordeal.
She said: “This is our eighth year
in this community and I never knew such a well exists.
in this community and I never knew such a well exists.
“My husband was at home for
holidays and my baby was invited to a neighbouring house by his playmates but
two hours after they left, I went in search of them only to find my four years
old boy pointing into the well in an attempt to follow his younger brother who
had fallen inside but I stopped him and raised the alarm which attracted
sympathisers.’’
holidays and my baby was invited to a neighbouring house by his playmates but
two hours after they left, I went in search of them only to find my four years
old boy pointing into the well in an attempt to follow his younger brother who
had fallen inside but I stopped him and raised the alarm which attracted
sympathisers.’’
Residents of the area claimed the
deceased was recovered dead around 8pm on Sunday by the joint effort of Lagos
State Fire Services and local Police called ‘Onyabo’.
deceased was recovered dead around 8pm on Sunday by the joint effort of Lagos
State Fire Services and local Police called ‘Onyabo’.
Owner of the building was said to
be under interrogation at Ogijo Police Division at the time Vanguard visited.
But Chairman, Agodo/Alara Community Development Association, Mr. Jumah Quadri,
said efforts were on to forestal a recurrence.
be under interrogation at Ogijo Police Division at the time Vanguard visited.
But Chairman, Agodo/Alara Community Development Association, Mr. Jumah Quadri,
said efforts were on to forestal a recurrence.
“The landlord will be summoned and
the well will be blocked,” he said.
the well will be blocked,” he said.
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