By: Sunday Ameh
A 25-year-old man has reportedly lost his life after falling into a soakaway while inspecting an abandoned building at the Kinnira area of Ogbomoso in Oyo State.
The tragic incident occurred opposite Zion Christian Academy School in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of the state.
The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed the incident on Saturday, stating that the victim accidentally fell into the soakaway while attempting to inspect a structure in the area.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and Chairman of the agency, Moroof Akinwande, disclosed that emergency responders received a distress call at about 7:41 p.m. on Friday from a resident identified as John Onigbinde.
According to Akinwande, firefighters and rescue personnel, led by Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Dairo, were immediately mobilized to the scene for an emergency rescue operation.
“The rescue team immediately swung into action by applying all necessary rescue procedures. The victim was later recovered and handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Owode Division, Ogbomoso,” he said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had attempted to inspect storage tanks located close to the soakaway to determine the water level before he reportedly lost balance and plunged into the pit.
Authorities noted that despite rescue efforts, the victim could not be saved.
Akinwande used the opportunity to urge residents to exercise caution around soakaways, wells and other uncovered openings, stressing that abandoned or unsecured structures continue to pose serious threats to lives and property.
The incident has again raised concerns over safety measures around abandoned buildings and exposed pits in residential communities.
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