A tragic incident occurred in the Babarinsa area of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, where a three-year-old boy, Chibuike Uba, lost his life after falling into an uncovered soakaway.
The heartbreaking event took place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, during a visit by Chibuike’s mother, Utoro, to her aunt’s residence in the community. Utoro, who lives in the Epe area of the state, was reportedly packing her belongings in preparation to leave when the tragedy struck.
According to reports, Chibuike had followed his great-aunt outside when she stepped out to answer a phone call. However, when she returned, Utoro asked about her son’s whereabouts. Assuming the boy had gone back inside, her aunt appeared unaware of his absence.
Concerned, Utoro began searching for Chibuike and soon discovered his slippers near an open soakaway in the compound next door, which was unfenced. Fearing the worst, she raised an alarm, and neighbors rushed to assist.
In an emotional voice message shared with Punch on Thursday, Utoro recounted the moment:
“I was still packing when my aunt went out to answer a call, and my son followed her. I assumed he was still with her. When she returned, I asked where my son was, and she said he had already come back inside. I said no and ran out to look for him. That’s when I saw his slippers near the open soakaway next door and screamed for help. We quickly pulled him out and rushed him to the hospital.”
Chibuike was initially taken to a nearby medical center in the Sapati area and later referred to the General Hospital in Akodo. Despite being placed on oxygen, doctors sadly confirmed his death.
Utoro blamed the incident on the negligence of the landlord, alleging that her aunt had repeatedly urged him to secure the open soakaway, but he failed to act.
“My aunt told the landlord several times to cover the soakaway. He kept promising to do so. Even the wooden plank she placed over it was damaged by floodwater. Till now, it remains uncovered.”
A human rights advocate, Harmony Tachie, who leads the Harmony Advocacy Network, confirmed that the landlord does not reside in the community.
