Lagos firefighters rescue knife-wielding man from well

Operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) performed a high-stakes rescue yesterday, Sunday, March 22, 2026, after a man armed with a knife was discovered inside a deep well.

The operation, which took place in the Owutu area of Ikorodu, required a mix of tactical patience and physical rescue techniques due to the victim's aggressive behavior.

The Incident at Ikorodu
The emergency was reported around 7:00 am on Sunday morning. When firefighters from the Ikorodu Fire Station arrived, the situation was far more complex than a standard fall:

Armed Resistance: The man was found deep inside the well, brandishing a knife. He actively resisted initial rescue efforts and exhibited "evasive behavior."

The Victim's Claim: A video from the scene captured the man alleging that he had been assaulted while sleeping, which may have led to his current state or his decision to enter the well.

Police Support: Due to the presence of a weapon and the victim's volatility, officers from the Owutu Division of the Nigeria Police provided security and tactical support during the extraction.

Despite the man's resistance, the team—led by the agency's Controller General, Margaret Adeseye—eventually managed to bring him to safety. He was pulled from the well alive and handed over to authorities for medical evaluation and further investigation into his claims of assault.

This incident is part of a busy year for the LSFRS regarding well-related emergencies. Other notable rescues this year include:

January 2026: An 84-year-old man was rescued from a 140-foot deep well in the Aboru area of Agbado Oke-Odo. This was investigated as a suspected suicide attempt as the well had been securely covered.

General Stats: The agency recently noted that it has already responded to over 1,000 incidents this year, rescuing hundreds of residents from various life-threatening situations across the state.

The latest updates from the Owutu Division of the Nigeria Police and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) confirm that the man rescued on Sunday is currently undergoing a two-pronged evaluation.