Lagos man dies attempting to rescue toddler from well

A man died while attempting to rescue a two-year-old child who fell into a domestic well in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State, Nigeria. The incident occurred on Tuesday at a compound on Paul Street.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported that the toddler, whose mother worked as a cleaner at the location, accidentally fell into the well. A male resident, identified as a member of the local Hausa community, climbed into the well to save the child but became trapped and died before emergency responders could reach him.

Coordinated rescue efforts involving the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force were hampered by high water levels and thick mud. Despite dewatering operations and the deployment of a specialist local diver, the toddler could not be recovered. The diver reported that the child had sunk deep into the mud, with only a single shoe being retrieved. Following consultations with the family and community leaders, the operation was officially concluded.