A father of three, Wasiu Ishola, 45, Wednesday collapsed on Olaribiro street, Allen Avenue, in Lagos, due to exhaustion. Ishola, a bricklayer, was found lying on his chest and unconscious. He was thought to be dead, as passers-by and drivers ignored him.
Nigeria Newsbreak was alerted of Ishola’s fate through an anonymous telephone call. Our reporter arrived the scene and quickly put a call through to Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, at exactly 3:39 pm. The call was answered by a male responder, who promised to contact the appropriate quarters to evacuate the man. Still in his unconscious state, our reporter moved closer to feel Ishola’s pulse and found he was still breathing. Ishola was aided to sit upright and water was poured on his head. He suddenly jolted to life and demanded more water to drink. As this was going on, a female LASAMBUS official called our reporter at 4:03 p.m to find out about Ishola’s condition. She was told his state and the call ended. Ishola said he had not eaten since the previous day and demanded a soft drink. He was obliged his request.
He told Nigeria Newsbreak that he resides at 98 Mosalasi street, Baale, Orile, in Lagos. He is a native of Ibadan, has three kids, but no wife. Ishola claimed to have walked from Orile to Opebi in search of work. “I heard there was work at a construction site on Opebi street, but when I got there I found the house had been completed. I decided to move around the neighbourhood for another, but suddenly collapsed.” Ishola was fed and given transport fare to get home.