A 13-year-old boy, Great Duru, has drowned in the Apa River near Idu, Abuja, while trying to rescue his sister who had fallen into the river during a visit to the riverbank.
The tragic incident occurred when Great, his two siblings, and a friend went to play near the river at Urumi Village, after Idu Railway Junction. According to the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), the younger sister slipped and fell into the river, prompting Great to jump in to save her.
Sadly, he was swept away by the current, while his sister miraculously managed to swim to safety.
The Head of Public Affairs of FEMD, Nkechi Isa, confirmed in a statement that the department’s Search and Rescue Team responded to a distress call around 3:45 p.m. and immediately moved to the location.
FEMD officials visited local traditional leaders and the boy’s family, who were reported to be out of town. Local divers have joined in the ongoing search for the missing boy.
Acting Director-General of FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and keep them away from dangerous places, especially during the rainy season.
He urged residents of the FCT to call the 112 toll-free emergency number when faced with emergencies, promising that efforts to locate the missing boy would continue.
This incident is a sad reminder of the dangers around open water bodies and the need for better safety awareness in local communities.
