There was mild drama in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday morning as a 68-year-old man fell into a deep well while attempting to retrieve his mobile phone. The incident occurred at Mobolorunduro Mosque, located on Ajeigbe Street in the Molefalafia area of Oke-Ado, within the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
According to eyewitnesses, the elderly man, whose name has not been disclosed, had accidentally dropped his phone into the well and, in a desperate attempt to recover it, climbed down without any professional help or safety equipment.
A resident of the area, Ajadi, who witnessed the rescue operation, confirmed that the man was eventually pulled out alive by officials of the Oyo State Fire Service. “The firefighters were able to rescue him alive and handed him over to his family for proper medical care,” Olaleye said.
The state government also confirmed the incident through a statement issued by Adebayo Akinwande, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Service Reform.
He said, “The distress call was received at exactly 6:10 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The report indicated that someone had fallen into a well at Mobolorunduro Mosque, No. 30 Ajeigbe Street, Molefalafia, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.”
Firefighters led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) Adedeji were immediately deployed to the scene, where they discovered the elderly man trapped deep inside the well.
Akinwande explained that the rescue team took all necessary precautions, tied rescue knots, and successfully brought the man out alive. He was then handed over to his family for medical attention.
He attributed the cause of the incident to ignorance, stating that the man was unaware of the dangers involved in entering a well without the proper training or safety measures. “This kind of act could easily result in death,” Akinwande warned.
He used the opportunity to caution members of the public against engaging in dangerous activities without expert assistance. “We strongly advise the public to avoid any action that can put their lives at risk. When accidents like this happen, it becomes a burden not just on the family but also on emergency services,” he said.
Akinwande also reiterated the commitment of the current administration in Oyo State to protecting lives and property. He praised the swift response of the fire service team, describing it as a testament to the improved emergency response systems under Governor Makinde’s leadership.
Incidents involving people falling into wells are not new in Nigeria, especially in areas where wells are still commonly used for water supply. In many cases, poor maintenance and lack of safety precautions around open wells have led to injuries or even death. However, Sunday’s incident in Ibadan ended on a positive note due to the prompt intervention of emergency responders.
As at the time of filing this report, the rescued man was said to be recovering with his family and receiving proper care. No official statement has been issued by the mosque authorities regarding the incident.
Residents have been urged to report such emergencies immediately and to avoid taking unnecessary risks when dealing with similar situations.