Three-year-old Chibuike Uba dies after falling into uncovered soakaway in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Grieving mother blames negligent landlord as residents call for stronger housing safety enforcement.
Tragedy struck in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, as a three-year-old boy, Chibuike Uba, lost his life after falling into an uncovered soakaway.
The heartbreaking incident occurred when Chibuike’s mother, Utoro, visited her aunt’s residence in the community. While she was busy packing her belongings in preparation for departure, Chibuike wandered off. It was believed he had gone outside to meet his aunt, who had briefly stepped out.
Panic set in when the aunt returned and was asked about Chibuike’s whereabouts. A desperate search followed, leading to a grim discovery Chibuike’s slippers were found beside an exposed soakaway pit in a neighboring compound. This prompted fears that the toddler might have fallen in.
Bystanders immediately intervened to rescue the boy from the pit. He was quickly rushed to a nearby private clinic in the Sapati area, and later referred to the General Hospital in Akodo for advanced treatment. Medical staff placed him on oxygen in an attempt to revive him, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
The devastating loss left his mother inconsolable. In a voice note shared online, Utoro recounted the painful sequence of events and pointed fingers at the landlord of the compound where the soakaway is located. She alleged that her aunt had long warned the landlord about the danger posed by the open pit, but he failed to take any action.
According to Utoro, the only cover that once protected the soakaway a wooden plank had been damaged by floodwaters and never replaced, leaving the pit dangerously exposed.
“If that soakaway had been properly closed, my child wouldn’t have died,” she said, expressing her grief and frustration. She added that even after the incident, the soakaway remained open, posing an ongoing threat to children and residents in the area.
The tragic incident has sparked concern about the safety standards of residential compounds, especially in underregulated communities. Many have called for increased enforcement of safety regulations and accountability from property owners to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities are yet to comment on whether any legal action will be taken regarding the negligence alleged in the case. Meanwhile, residents in the area continue to mourn the loss of a child whose death, many believe, could have been prevented.
