Drug-Influenced Tragedy Strikes Ilorin Community
A 31-year-old man, Abdullateef Seriki-Sanma, lost his life in a tragic incident early Sunday morning after jumping into a domestic well in Ilorin, Kwara State. The young man, who was reportedly under the influence of banned substances, took his own life at approximately 4:00 a.m. at Bolarinwa Compound in the Centre Igboro area of the state capital.
Family sources revealed that Abdullateef was the only surviving child of old Madam Idiah's three children, making the loss particularly devastating for the family. The tragedy has left the community in shock as they grapple with the circumstances surrounding the young man's death.
Family's Desperate Attempts to Prevent Tragedy
According to family members who spoke on condition of anonymity, they had noticed strange behavior in Abdullateef since the previous week. Concerned about his mental state, the family had taken extraordinary measures to monitor and protect him.
"We were so bothered that his mother's younger sister had to come from her matrimonial home to sleep here with him," a family member disclosed. "We all monitored and guided him throughout yesterday because all of us were convinced he meant to commit suicide."
The family's fears were tragically realized when Abdullateef made his final suicide attempt while other household members were asleep, leaving no one available to intervene in those critical moments.
Frantic Rescue Efforts Prove Futile
When family members discovered that Abdullateef had carried out his suicidal plan, they immediately launched desperate rescue attempts. Witnesses described how they threw ladders and ropes into the well, hoping he would be able to climb out or they could pull him to safety.
"All were to no avail because we couldn't get any reaction from the well," explained a male family member involved in the rescue efforts. The lack of response from within the well indicated the tragic outcome that would later be confirmed.
After their own efforts failed, the family contacted the Kwara State Fire Service for professional assistance. The fire service team responded promptly to the distress call but arrived to discover the devastating reality of the situation.
Official Confirmation and Investigation Findings
Hassan Adekunle, spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the incident in an official statement. "On Sunday, 23rd November 2025, at 04:33 hrs, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a distress call for a rescue operation at Bolarinwa Compound, Centre Igboro Area, Ilorin," he stated.
"Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that a 31-year-old man named Abdullateef had deliberately jumped into a domestic well. Findings revealed that he had reportedly been making repeated attempts since the previous day, expressing intentions of taking his own life."
Adekunle's statement further noted the heartbreaking detail that "he made the final attempt while other occupants were asleep, leaving no one available to intervene, resulting in his demise."
Family sources suggested that recent financial difficulties may have contributed to Abdullateef's mental state, potentially leading him to experiment with unfamiliar drugs. This combination of factors appears to have created the perfect storm that culminated in Sunday morning's tragedy.
The incident has raised concerns about mental health support and substance abuse issues in the community, with many calling for increased awareness and intervention resources to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
