How a 68-Year-Old Ibadan Man Nearly Died Retrieving His Phone from a Well

A 68-year-old man in Ibadan narrowly escaped death after falling into a deep well while trying to retrieve his phone. The incident happened on Sunday morning at Mobolorunduro Mosque, No. 30 Ajeigbe Street, Molefalafia, in the Oke-Ado area of the city.

According to the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Akinyemi Akinyinka, the agency received a distress call early in the morning about a man who had fallen into a well. Firefighters, led by ACFS Adedeji (Mrs), were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, rescue personnel discovered that the elderly man had climbed into the well on his own after his phone fell in. He became trapped and was unable to climb back out. The fire team swiftly swung into action, carefully following safety protocols and using rescue equipment to bring him out alive.

“He was very lucky. Our firemen observed all precautionary measures, and we were able to rescue him safely. He was handed over to his family for further care,” Akinyinka said.

He described the incident as a result of ignorance and warned the public against entering wells or confined spaces without proper training. “Risking your life over a phone or any item is not worth it,” he cautioned.

In a separate operation on Saturday, the Fire Services also prevented a major disaster along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway after a tanker carrying 60,000 litres of automotive gas oil (AGO) overturned and spilled its contents. The team quickly applied chemical foam to suppress flammability, avoiding a potential explosion.

The agency has urged the public to stay alert, avoid dangerous actions, and always contact emergency services in such situations.