Newly-wed plumber in Lagos drowns in a well

The newly-wed plumber Emeka Okpala, was said to have drowned in a well while installing a pumping machine in it on Oladogba Street in the Ikosi-Ketu area of Lagos State. The 40-year-old man was not the one originally contracted for the job, but after the first plumber declined, the victim decided to take up the job.

A resident, Bilikisu Idris, said she got to know about the incident around 3pm, adding that the victim died because the person who contracted him to do the job did not raise the alarm on time.

She said, 

“Emeka (Okpala) was a very popular man on this street. He used to drive a BMW car, which he brought yesterday (Wednesday) to do the work. He was into all kinds of jobs and was very hardworking. He recently got wedded.
“The owner of the well wanted to install a submersible pumping machine. Those who were asked to do the job turned it down and said the well was old. When he was called, Emeka said he could do it since it was not his first time.
“He tied a rope to a generator and was descending the well when the generator fell on him in the well. He was crushed.”

The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, confirmed the incident, adding that the corpse was handed over to policemen from the Alapere division who deposited it in a morgue.