The Oyo State Fire Service has confirmed the tragic recovery of a 65-year-old man's body from a deep well in the Idi-Aga area of Ibadan. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, December 4, 2025, has prompted renewed calls for public vigilance and safety precautions.
Emergency Response to Distress Call
The agency received a distress call at precisely 09:42 hours on Thursday. The call came from a man identified as Mr. Damola, who reported that someone had fallen into a deep well at Oke-Oga Atipe, Idi-Aga. Fire service officers, led by the Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent, Bamidele Samsudeen, were immediately deployed to the scene.
Upon arrival, the team confirmed the grim discovery: an elderly man, estimated to be about 65 years old, had indeed fallen into the deep well. After a recovery operation, his body was retrieved and formally handed over to the police.
Official Statement and Handover to Police
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Moroof Akinwande, disclosed the details in a statement from Ibadan. He described the event as deeply unfortunate.
The body was received by a police team led by Superintendent of Police Idowu from the Agugu Police Division, completing the official transfer of the case for further investigation and necessary procedures.
Safety Warnings and a Call for Mental Health Support
In the wake of the tragedy, Chairman Akinwande issued crucial advice to residents. He emphasized the need for constant vigilance and strict adherence to safety measures around wells and other potential hazards.
Significantly, he also connected the incident to broader well-being, urging the public to prioritize mental health and seek professional help during times of distress. Furthermore, he reiterated essential fire safety protocols, advising the installation of fire extinguishers in homes and public buildings, a measure deemed especially critical during the ongoing dry season.
This is not an isolated case. A similar tragedy unfolded in November 2025 in Iseyin, where the body of a 45-year-old man was recovered from a deep well in the Odo-Ogbo, Oja-Agbe area. These consecutive incidents highlight a pressing concern for community safety and support systems.
