Woman dies after falling into well in Lagos

A tragic incident has occurred in the Ijegun area of Lagos, where a young woman lost her life after plunging into a well estimated to be 170 feet deep.

The accident, which happened on June 30, led to a lengthy recovery effort that concluded on July 10, when emergency responders successfully retrieved her body.

The well, located at the front of a one-storey building still under construction, posed significant challenges to rescuers due to its extreme depth and the structure’s positioning.

Personnel from the Ejigbo unit of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service worked closely with officers from the Nigeria Police Force to recover the body. It was subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU).

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Maria Fadairo, Senior Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the details of the incident.

She said the agency received an emergency call at approximately 9:33 p.m. on Monday, June 30, alerting them to a rescue situation at Abuba Anthony Street, near Obalagbe Bus Stop, by Fadeko International Hotel in Ijegun, part of the Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area.

“The Ejigbo Fire Station was immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a female adult had trapped into a well approximately 170 feet deep, located at the frontage of a one-storey building under construction. The building comprises six two-bedroom flats, covering a land area of approximately 648 square metres in a fenced environment,” she stated.

She further explained that the complexity of the situation prompted collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and triggered a full investigation.

“Due to the complex nature of the incident, leading to collaborating with the Nigerian Police, a thorough investigation was initiated. Following sustained and coordinated efforts, the body of the victim was successfully recovered in a snapped operations on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

“The recovery operation was led by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in collaboration with other emergency response and security agency. The victim was recovered dead and handed over to officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), while the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) was standing by with the Nigeria Police Force from the State’s Criminal Investigation Department, Panti observing proceedings.”

Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, extended her condolences to the deceased’s family and acknowledged the combined efforts of all involved agencies.

“The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and appreciates the efforts of all agencies involved. Further information regarding the ongoing investigation remains under the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Police,” she added.