Man Dies After Falling Into Soakaway During Inspection in Oyo

A 25-year-old man has lost his life after reportedly falling into a soakaway in the Kinnira area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The incident occurred opposite Zion Christian Academy in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area on Friday evening while the deceased was said to be inspecting an abandoned building in the area.

The victim, whose identity had yet to be disclosed as of the time of filing this report, was reportedly attempting to check some storage tanks near the soakaway when the tragedy happened.

Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency and Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform, Moroof Akinwande, said emergency responders received a distress call around 7:41pm.

According to him, the call was placed by a resident identified as John Onigbinde, who alerted the agency that a man had fallen into a soakaway.

Akinwande explained that a rescue team led by Chief Fire Superintendent Dairo was immediately deployed to the scene to recover the victim.

He said, “The rescue team immediately swung into action by applying all necessary rescue procedures. The victim was later recovered from the soakaway and handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Owode Division, Ogbomoso.”

He added that preliminary findings showed the deceased lost his balance while attempting to cross the area near the soakaway during the inspection.

The fire service boss, however, warned residents to be careful around uncovered soakaways, wells and similar structures, stressing that such sites remain dangerous if not properly secured.