The Rivers State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the tragic death of three men inside a well in Aminigboko community, Abua/Odual Local Government Area.

The victims reportedly died while attempting to desilt an old well in the community, a development that has plunged residents into mourning and raised concerns about possible environmental hazards.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the son of the well’s owner had engaged three men — including two brothers — to clean and restore the well, providing access to potable water.

According to her, tragedy struck shortly after the first man was lowered into the well.

“Minutes after one of the persons entered the well, he started screaming. This prompted his brother and the third person to enter the well to find out why he was screaming,” Iringe-Koko said.

“Unfortunately, the three of them died. Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the death.”

Sources within the community disclosed that the well had previously dried up, prompting the owner to initiate efforts to re-dig and desilt it, a common practice in the area to restore access to drinking water.

Neighbours who relied on the same water source were said to have complained of a foul odour emanating from the well days before the incident.

A community source explained that the unpleasant smell was believed to be caused by the well’s shallow depth and prolonged water stagnation.

However, some residents have speculated that toxic fumes may have accumulated inside the confined space.

“Here we usually re-dig wells that are drying up so that we can get clean drinking water, and that is what the owner was doing,” the source said.

“The people had been complaining that it smells bad, which is why they tried to dig it again.”

Meanwhile, the Orashi National Congress (ONC), a prominent socio-cultural group in the Niger Delta, has expressed deep concern over the incident and called for a thorough investigation.

In a statement, ONC President General, Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, noted that the well had reportedly been emitting an offensive odour before the tragedy, raising suspicions about possible environmental contamination or gas emissions.

He urged relevant authorities and experts in the oil and environmental sectors to urgently determine the exact cause of the deaths and assess any potential environmental risks to the community.

“We are also calling on the Local Council authorities and the Rivers State Government for immediate attention because undiscovered or leaking natural gases may pose a wider threat to lives and property if not swiftly addressed,” Ibe stated.

The ONC leadership joined the people of the Aminigboko community in mourning the deceased and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.

As investigations continue, residents of the community remain anxious, with many calling for safety checks on other wells and water sources to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.