Police Avert Ethnic Clash As Two Labourers Die In Lagos Well

Operatives of the Lagos Police Command on Tuesday prevented an ethnic fight in Ijesha following the death of two labourers identified as Abdullah, 38, and Ahmed Ibrahim, 36.

It was gathered that the duo died inside a dry well at 10, Babatunde Street, while evaluating the well..

Their death which occurred around 4pm was said to have enraged their northern brothers scores of whom stormed the compound in an attempt to raze it.

They were however resisted by Yoruba youths in the neighbourhood who barricaded the storey building and threatened showdown with the invaders.

According to a resident, policemen from Itire Division were immediately notified and they raced to the scene to calm both sides.

A man who gave his name as Ganiu told our Correspondent that the deceased, both from Katsina State, were contracted to evaluate the well to know why water was not coming out.

He said: “What happened was that the compound people needed well diggers and they told their gateman to get them. So, the Aboki said he called some but they said they cannot enter the well.

“Maybe, these two heard the compound needed well diggers and came to meet the gateman. They negotiated and were taken to the well to see it. We were outside here like today when they got in.

Read Also: “About 15 minutes later, we started hearing noise from inside the compound. So, we moved there only to find the two men lifeless inside the well.

“That was how we looked for ropes and started struggling to drag them out. As that was happening, some people contacted the police.”

Ganiu said while they were still attempting to bring out the two men, their brothers numbering over 60 stormed the compound to fight and burn the place.

He said they were not willing to listen as they suspected foul play in their death.

They came for war. They were not ready to listen to anything. The noise they came with also attracted more youths from the community. So, we all resisted them. We told them we are ready for war if that was what they came for.

“Then, the police came and when things were explained to them, some of the northerners understood what happened and explained to their brothers.

“It was when things have calmed down that we learnt the two men were not professionals. They were a motorcycle and a cart pusher who heard the compound needed diggers and decided to make quick money.

“No one really knows what happened to them inside the well. There was no water inside and the electric connections for the pumping machine were done outside.”

Other residents who spoke with The Nation said they were grateful to the police for quick intervention, noting that tensions were rife on both sides.

They said the northerners also attempted to prevent policemen from evacuating the bodies but were succumbed when they were made to understand that investigation had done investigated.

Contacted for reaction, police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the victims were evacuated and rushed to General Hospital where they were certified death..

He said there were suspicions that both men might have suffocated inside the well, adding that autopsy report would ascertain the real cause of death.