The Rivers State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of three persons, including two brothers, who reportedly died while attempting to desilt an abandoned water well in Aminigboko, Abua/Odual Local Government Area, on Sunday.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Metro on Monday.
It was gathered that the task involved a confined-space operation, which typically requires safety measures such as the use of oxygen equipment, proper gas testing, and adequate ventilation to mitigate risks before entry.
PUNCH Metro learnt from a Facebook user, Elijah Emmanuel, who shared details of the incident, that a resident had hired two workers to dig the well.
While the work was ongoing, one of the workers reportedly entered the well, but when his partner could no longer hear from him, he also went in to check on him.
Emmanuel stated that when the second worker also became unresponsive, another man, in an attempt to rescue the trapped persons, entered the well and was also suspected to have died.
He wrote, “Tragedy has struck the community today. Three able-bodied men died while trying to upgrade a well to get good water to drink. The well was drying out, and the owner sought the services of two men who reportedly dug the well.
“The first person reportedly went down the well through a locally made ladder and was never heard from again. The second person went down for rescue, and the same thing happened.
“While the third person, who was never engaged, desperately sought to save the duo, unfortunately he lost his life even when eyewitnesses advised safety measures and he declined.”
He added that eyewitnesses reported an offensive odour emanating from the well, raising suspicion that the men may have died from gas fumes.
“An eyewitness said that the well had an offensive odour, which the owner felt could be a result of the depth. But with this tragedy, there is suspicion of a gas that may have killed the men instantly.
“It is strongly believed that the community hosts natural minerals and gases, some of which may be emitted from the well, unknown to the residents.
“It is important to employ experts in the oil sector to investigate the cause of this tragedy now, to save the community from a potential natural disaster,” he added.
Confirming the incident, Iringe-Koko said an investigation was ongoing.
“Yes, the incident happened, and the command is investigating,” the PPRO said.
Aminigboko is an oil- and gas-producing community in Abua/Odual, host to a multinational oil company.
The incident has thrown the community into fear, with residents expressing concern over the possible cause of the deaths.
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