A 37-year-old man has been rescued alive from a deep well in the Oke-Sebe area of Saki, Oyo State, following a rapid and well-coordinated intervention by the Oyo State Fire Service.
The dramatic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026, when the fire service received a distress call at exactly 9:26 a.m. The alert, made by a running caller and one Alhaji Salami, reported that a man had fallen into a well and was trapped.
Firefighters led by Principal Fire Superintendent II (PFS II) Kolade Taiwo were immediately mobilised and deployed to the scene. According to an official statement, the rescue team arrived at the location by 9:29 a.m. and promptly commenced operations with specialised rescue equipment.
Upon arrival, the officers assessed the situation and carried out a coordinated rescue effort to extract the victim.
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“The fire officers acted promptly and professionally. With the use of specialised rescue equipment, the trapped man was successfully removed from the well,” the agency said.
Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Ayegbokiki Samuel was also on ground to supervise the operation.
Eyewitnesses said the man, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was found alive and conscious after being pulled out, drawing applause and relief from residents who had gathered at the scene.
“We were all afraid when we heard someone had fallen into the well. The fire service arrived very quickly and handled the situation with expertise. It was a big relief when we saw the man brought out alive,” a resident said.
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Commending the officers for their swift and professional response, the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Fire Services Agency, Hon. Dr Maroof Adebayo Akinwande, described the operation as a clear demonstration of the agency’s readiness to protect lives and property.
Akinwande urged members of the public to always prioritise safety, particularly around open wells, construction sites and other hazardous areas.
“Safety should always come first. People must be careful around wells and other dangerous locations. However, whenever there is an emergency, they should not hesitate to contact the fire service immediately,” he said.
The fire chief also stressed the importance of early reporting of emergencies, noting that timely information often makes the difference between life and death.
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According to him, the agency has continued to strengthen its response capacity through regular training, equipment upgrades and strategic deployment of personnel across the state.
“Our officers are trained to handle rescue operations and other emergencies professionally. We remain committed to saving lives and responding promptly whenever our services are required,” he added.
Residents of Oke-Sebe praised the fire service for what they described as a heroic and reassuring intervention, while calling on the government to sustain investment in emergency services to enhance efficiency and public safety.