Night that changed everything

•Jayawa’s harrowing fall into manhole in Abuja

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Veronica Jayawa, a vibrant 31-year-old athlete and member of the United Spikers Volleyball Club, experienced a life-altering incident on January 17, 2025. A graduate of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Zaria, Kaduna State, she is currently navigating the challenges of job-hunting while working as a waitress to make ends meet.

Her life took a terrifying turn when she fell into an open manhole in Abuja’s Ministers’ Quarters. That incident that not only endangered her life but also underscored a growing public safety crisis in the city.

Jayawa before the incident

A frightening fall

On that fateful Friday evening, Veronica had received instructions to retrieve something from the car. She e stepped outside only to encounter a poorly lit section of the road: “I didn’t see the manhole by the side of the car, when I opened the car door, I fell inside. One leg was outside while the other was trapped.

“I felt a sharp pain and then an overwhelming sense of fear. I shouted for help. Thankfully, a couple nearby was able to pull me out.” Bleeding profusely from her injuries, she was rushed to Maitama Clinic before being transferred to the National Hospital’s trauma emergency unit:

“When we got to the hospital, they told me to wash myself so they could see where I was bleeding from. It was terrifying.I had to fill out forms before they could treat me. Eventually, I was taken to the Gynaecology Emergency Unit.The nurse said I looked pale and that I had gone into hypertensive shock.”

Veronica’s blood type was identified as B+, and in a race against time, a nurse who shared her blood type volunteered to donate blood for her immediately: “I bled for over an hour. With four pints of blood secured through donations from friends and family, I underwent three hours of surgery.

“The surgeons worked tirelessly to stitch me up and stop the bleeding. I truly believe it was God who saved me that night. After four days in the hospital,  I was discharged with a bill of N400,000.” It’s a staggering amount for someone struggling to find a stable employment.

Growing manhole crisis

Veronica’s harrowing experience is not an isolated incident; it reflects a broader issue plaguing Abuja—an alarming rise in manhole cover thefts. In recent months, reports indicated that such vandalism has become increasingly common in the city, posing serious risks to public safety.

Days before Veronica’s accident, news outlets had highlighted dangers of manhole theft. In early January 2025, this situation escalated when a viral video surfaced, capturing the brazen theft of manhole covers in broad daylight. The footage showcased a thief removing a cover while passersby looked on, highlighting the audacity of such criminal activities and raising public concern about safety in the territory, prompting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take decisive action against the criminals.

The theft has left many open manholes across Abuja unmarked and unprotected. This negligence not only endangers pedestrians but also undermines public trust in local authorities tasked with ensuring safety.

In response, Wike announced plans to prosecute individuals involved in the theft of manhole covers: “We cannot allow this to continue.” Veronica reacted: “I am very happy with what the minister has decided. It will prevent incidents like mine from happening again.”

Shocking discovery

Security forces recently conducted a raid at Dei Dei Pantakers Market based on intelligence reports indicating that stolen manhole covers were being stored there. Armed personnel descended on the market, searching shops and recovering heavy manhole covers taken from various locations across Abuja.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, said: “Pantaker and scavenging activities remain banned in the FCT. Over 20 stolen manhole covers were recovered during this operation alone. We urge members of the public to continue providing us with information so we can collaborate effectively. This raid reflects an increased effort by authorities to combat vandalism and protect public property. Veronica agreed: “I hope this sends a message that we need to take our streets seriously.”

A Survivor’s message

Veronica hopes sharing her story will raise awareness about the dangers posed by such criminal activities: “It’s not just about me; it’s about ensuring that no one else has to go through this pain.”