A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Babarinsa area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, on Wednesday as a three-year-old boy, Chibuike Uba, died after falling into an uncovered soakaway in a neighbouring compound.
The incident occurred while Chibuike and his mother, Utoro Uba, were visiting her aunt from their home in the Epe area of the state. According to accounts gathered by Hobnob News, the tragedy unfolded as Utoro was preparing to leave the premises.
“I visited my aunt and was packing my bags to head back home when she received a call and my son followed her outside. I continued packing, assuming he was still with her,” Utoro recounted in tears.
Trouble began when the aunt returned indoors and assumed the child had gone back inside. A frantic search began after it became clear that Chibuike was missing.
“I noticed his slippers near the soakaway in the next compound beside the house because it has no fence. I immediately shouted that my baby was inside the soakaway,” Utoro said.
The uncovered soakaway, which had reportedly been the subject of repeated safety warnings, was located in an unfenced compound next to the house. Despite immediate rescue efforts, Chibuike was unresponsive when pulled from the pit.
He was rushed to a nearby private hospital in the Sapati area before being referred to the General Hospital in Akodo, where medical personnel placed him on oxygen. Tragically, he was later confirmed dead.
Utoro blamed gross negligence for her son’s death, accusing the property owner of ignoring prior warnings about the uncovered soakaway.
“My aunt called the man and said she had repeatedly warned him to close the soakaway, but he kept promising to. Even the plank my aunt used to cover it was damaged by the flood. As I speak to you, the soakaway is still open,” she said.
Residents of the area expressed outrage over the tragic loss, calling on local authorities and the Lagos State Government to investigate the matter and enforce stricter regulations on property safety.
As of the time of filing this report, the landlord had not responded to requests for comment. However, community leaders are urging immediate action to prevent further loss of life from similar hazards.
