The body of a young man who had been declared missing has been recovered from the Obalende Underbridge Canal on Lagos Island, several days after he was last seen in the area.
The deceased, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was believed to have been living beneath the Obalende bridge for a prolonged period. Residents and traders around the axis described him as a familiar figure who was often seen in and around the underbridge area.
According to sources within the community, the man was known to engage in illicit drug use and was suspected to have been under the influence prior to the incident that led to his death. His disappearance initially did not raise immediate concern, as he was known to move around frequently.
Concern grew after he had not been seen for several days, prompting people in the area to carry out a search. The effort eventually led to the discovery of his body in the canal beneath the bridge.
Officials of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) unit, were promptly alerted and arrived at the scene to recover the remains. The body was evacuated from the canal and transported to the mortuary at the Lagos General Hospital for preservation and further examination.
A LAGESC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said preliminary findings suggested the man may have accidentally fallen into the canal.
“It appears he may have slipped into the canal while under the influence of drugs. His absence went unnoticed initially, and it was only after several days that a search was conducted, leading to the discovery of the body,” the official said.
Authorities stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and to formally identify the deceased. They added that necessary documentation and procedures would be completed in line with standard protocols.
