Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A routine joint security patrol along the Delta State Polytechnic road in Ogwashi‑Uku ended in tragedy on Thursday, May 14, 2026, when a member of the Nigeria Forestry and Security Services and a man he was attempting to arrest both fell into an abandoned well inside an unfinished building and drowned. The Delta State Police Command has since clarified that the deaths were accidental, refuting earlier speculations that the two men had been shot by police officers. The incident has left the local community in shock and raised fresh questions about the safety of uncompleted structures in the area.
According to a statement issued on Friday, May 15, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the tragedy occurred when a joint patrol team comprising police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Forestry and Security Services encountered two men later identified as Adama Augustine and another individual along the road near Mega Chis. Upon sighting the patrol team, the two men fled, prompting a chase by the Forest officers who were part of the team. As the officers closed in, one of the fleeing men, Adama Augustine, jumped into an unfinished building. A Forestry officer continued the pursuit, but both men fell into an abandoned well located within the uncompleted structure and drowned.
The bodies of Adama Augustine and the Forestry officer, identified as Mr. Eze Ifeanyi, were rescued from the well and rushed to the Ogwashi General Hospital. However, the doctor on duty confirmed that both men had already died. Their remains have been deposited in the hospital morgue pending an autopsy. “This incident is a deeply painful and tragic accident,” the police statement read. “The Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Eze Ifeanyi, his colleagues in the Nigeria Forestry and Security Service, and the family of the deceased Adama Augustine. We share in the grief of all those affected by this tragedy.”
The police were careful to dispel rumours that had begun circulating on social media, suggesting that the two men had been killed by police gunfire. “We want to emphasize that no gunfire occurred. No one was killed by the police,” the statement stressed. The Command assured residents that a full investigation is already underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the drowning. The police also appealed for calm and urged the public to disregard any unverified information about the incident.
The Nigeria Forestry and Security Service is a paramilitary agency tasked with protecting the country’s forest reserves, wildlife, and natural resources. Its officers often operate in remote and dangerous terrains, sometimes in collaboration with the police to combat illegal logging, poaching, and other environmental crimes. In Delta State, the service has been actively involved in operations to curb illegal timber felling and encroachment on forest reserves. The death of Officer Eze Ifeanyi in the line of duty has cast a pall over the service, with colleagues describing him as a dedicated and courageous officer.
Ogwashi‑Uku, the town where the tragedy occurred, is the headquarters of Aniocha South Local Government Area and has been in the news in recent months for reasons unrelated to the Forestry Service. The town is the traditional seat of the Obi of Ogwashi‑Ukwu, whose recent controversies involving land disputes and the alleged jailing of critics using police powers have attracted national attention. The coincidence of this accident occurring in the same town may fuel further scrutiny of safety and governance issues in the area, though the police have found no evidence linking the drowning to those ongoing disputes.
The abandoned well that claimed the lives of the two men is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by uncompleted buildings, which dot the landscape of many Nigerian towns and cities. Often left unattended by developers, these structures become deathtraps for curious children, unsuspecting pedestrians, and, as this incident shows, even trained security personnel. Local authorities have been urged to enforce building codes and ensure that abandoned sites are properly secured to prevent such accidents.
The Delta State Police Command has pledged to support the families of both deceased individuals. “An investigation is already underway. The Command assures the residents of Ogwashi‑Uku and Delta State of its dedication to ensuring the safety of all citizens and encourages everyone to remain calm and dismiss any rumors,” the statement concluded. The Command also requested continued support and information from the public as it strives to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For the families of Adama Augustine and Mr. Eze Ifeanyi, the tragedy has brought immeasurable grief. What began as a routine patrol ended in a well, and what should have been a simple chase turned into a double drowning. The police have said there was no gunfire, no violence, no crime. Just a dark hole in an unfinished building, a misstep in the dark, and two lives extinguished. The investigation continues.
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