Trader running from Scorpion falls into 100-foot well, dies

Scorpion

A 40-year-old petty trader, Ablavi Hunkpati, in Alaja community, Megida, in the Ayobo area of Lagos State, has died after she fell into an abandoned well.

PUNCH reported that the mother of four was running from a scorpion when she slipped and fell into the well said to be about 100 feet deep.

All attempts by residents, relatives, and sympathisers to rescue her all failed before officials of the Lagos State Fire Service were called to the scene.

Her remains were subsequently recovered and handed over to the police by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The Togolese woman, her husband and their four children were said to have lived in the house for over 20 years.

A resident said, “The woman has been living in the house for over than 20 years. As of the time she packed in, that well had been abandoned. And people usually sit and relax on the planks used to cover the well. She was trying to run from a scorpion. She rested on the planks, which gave way. That was how she fell into the well and died.”

Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Fire Service, Bola Ajao, who spoke for the acting Director, Rasak Musibau, said firefighters arrived as soon they received a distress call about the incident.