Girl Dies in Well Tragedy, Community Demands Urgent Safety Action
Shock and grief swept through Ikoyi Community in the Irewolede Area of Ilorin West on Saturday after 12-year-old Nabilat tragically died when she slipped and fell into an old, uncovered domestic well.
The heartbreaking incident, which occurred around 10:35 a.m., has ignited renewed calls for stricter safety measures around wells and water sources in the area.
Residents told Global Mirror News that the young girl had gone to fetch water for her family, a daily routine made necessary by persistent water scarcity in the Community.
The well, however, reportedly had no protective cover, and its edges were said to be weakened by years of neglect, cracked concrete, and slippery moss that made it hazardous, especially for children.
A resident, Aunty Jemila, who lives near the well, described the chaos that followed.
“We heard her scream and rushed out immediately, but everything happened so fast,” she said, her voice trembling. “Before help could arrive, she was already deep inside. That well has been a danger for months. We complained, but nobody did anything.”
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a Sunday statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle. Adekunle explained that the emergency team responded promptly after receiving a distress call from Mayowa, a resident who witnessed the fall and alerted officials.
Firefighters arrived swiftly and began rescue operations, but the girl was recovered lifeless. Her body was handed over to a member of the grieving family as neighbours gathered in tears and disbelief.
Local youth leader, Kazeem Olayinka, expressed frustration over what he described as “repeated negligence” by landlords and community leaders.
“This is not the first time someone has slipped into a well here,” he stated. “But this is the first death.
We have warned about these uncovered wells. Now we are begging the Government to enforce safety rules. No family deserves this pain.”
Residents are calling on the Ilorin West Local Government, Community leaders, and safety Agencies to conduct an urgent assessment of all wells in the Area to prevent further loss of life.
Many believe that reinforced covers, proper maintenance, and stronger community guidelines could save lives.
Authorities have since urged households to secure their wells with durable covers and conduct regular inspections, stressing that domestic wells—often overlooked—remain one of the leading causes of preventable home accidents in rural and semi-urban communities.
