Tragedy struck in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Friday as a 43-year-old man, identified as Kareem, died after reportedly jumping into a well under the influence of a psychoactive substance known locally as “Colorado.”
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred in the Ile Alapo area of Edun, Ilorin West Local Government Area, shortly after the deceased returned from the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.
Spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that emergency responders were alerted around 10:29 a.m. and swiftly mobilized to the scene.
“Upon receiving the distress call, our rescue team was immediately dispatched to the location,” Adekunle said. “The man, identified as Kazeem, was said to have jumped into the well shortly after the Eid prayers, allegedly under the influence of a hard drug called ‘Colo.’ His body was successfully recovered and handed over to the police.”
The remains of the victim were transferred to the C Division Police Station in Ilorin and received by Inspector Babatunde Amos. Authorities are currently awaiting formal identification and collection of the body by the deceased’s family.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Superintendent Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, proved abortive, as she did not respond to calls or messages sent to her WhatsApp line at the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed his condolences and warned against the dangers of drug abuse.
“It is heartbreaking to witness yet another life lost to substance misuse,” he said. “We continue to appeal to members of the public, especially the youth, to steer clear of harmful drugs like Colorado. The consequences are often irreversible and tragic.”
The Eid-el-Kabir celebration, usually a time of joy and community gathering, was marred in the Edun area by this heartbreaking incident, which has left residents in shock.
