Posted by Samuel on Sun 03rd Mar, 2024 - tori.ng
The mishap began when one of the victims, Mr. Matthew Iji (commonly known as Matthew Ekpengbe), a popular car washer in the town, sent his teenage son to a nearby well to fetch water for him.
Chaos ensued in Oju Township of Oju Local Government Area in Benue State when a father, son, and a Hausa trader lost their lives in a mysterious well accident while attempting to retrieve a pale-fetcher.
Daily Post reports that the mishap began when one of the victims, Mr. Matthew Iji (commonly known as Matthew Ekpengbe), a popular car washer in the town, sent his teenage son to a nearby well to fetch water for him.
Eyewitness sources said the boy, presumably aged between 15-16 years, lost the fetcher into the pit and had stooped into the well in an attempt to remove the fetcher when he met his untimely death.
The source further said the father, alerted by bystanders, also rushed into the pit to rescue his son but had little time before death caught up with him.
According to the source, a Hausa trader who tried to evacuate the bodies of the victims from the well lost his life in what many deem to be a mystery.
The source revealed that the three bodies were rushed to Holy Cross Hospital, Oju, where they were all confirmed dead after efforts by the Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the facility, Joseph Ona, to resuscitate the victims proved futile.
The source added that sympathizers at the scene of the incident believed that the accident was not ordinary, and many alluded to some diabolical attack.
The majority were of the opinion that the well must have contained contaminated air from oil spillage since it was close to a filling station.
An eyewitness said close observation of the deceased bodies did not show evidence of drowning, as their bodies were not noticeably drenched.
The three corpses have already been taken to their respective places for burial.
Efforts to confirm the incident from the Benue State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, proved fruitless.