A somber mood enveloped the Edun area of Ilorin on Sunday as the Kwara State Fire Service recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man who reportedly jumped into a domestic well while under the influence of hard drugs.
In an official statement issued by the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle, the distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at approximately 10:29 a.m. Promptly, a team of firefighters was dispatched to the scene, where they successfully retrieved the victim’s body from the well.
According to eyewitness reports and the fire service’s account, the victim, identified simply as Kazeem, had just returned from Eid prayers before allegedly consuming a dangerous hard substance known locally as Colorado (Colo). Moments later, he tragically plunged into the well.
Authorities have since transferred the body to the C Division Police Station in Ilorin, where it awaits formal identification and claims by the deceased’s family.
Reacting to the heartbreaking incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed deep sorrow and called on residents to shun drug abuse. He emphasized the growing dangers of illicit drug consumption in society, noting that such habits often lead to avoidable tragedies.
“We are devastated by this loss and urge our people, especially the youth, to stay away from dangerous substances. No good ever comes from drug abuse,” Olumuyiwa stated.
Drug Abuse: A Growing Concern in Nigeria
This incident highlights the increasing menace of substance abuse in parts of Nigeria, with Colorado — a synthetic cannabinoid — emerging as a particularly lethal trend among users. Health experts and security agencies have repeatedly warned about its unpredictable and harmful effects.
Authorities in Kwara State continue to call for heightened community awareness and stronger measures against the circulation of illegal drugs to prevent further loss of lifes.
