A tragic incident has claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy, identified as Miebaka Koko, who drowned while swimming in a river in Ogoloma community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Derock Waterside, where the teenager had gone swimming alongside three of his friends.
Eyewitnesses reported that the group had barely spent time in the water when Miebaka was suddenly swept away by a strong current.
His friends, upon realizing he was in distress, quickly rushed out of the water to seek help. Their cries attracted nearby residents, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, who immediately mobilized for a rescue attempt.
Speaking on the incident, the Sector Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Okrika LGA, Igwe Godswill, attributed the tragedy to the dangerous increase in the river’s depth caused by ongoing dredging activities in the area.
“Most waterfronts in Okrika have been dredged, making the rivers extremely deep. Just a step away from the bank can be very dangerous,” he explained.
Godswill recounted that rescuers could briefly see the boy’s hands above the water as he struggled, but the strong current prevented any successful intervention. “It is very painful. Despite our efforts, we couldn’t save him,” he added.
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He further noted that recovering bodies from rivers in the region is often a difficult process, sometimes taking several days due to water conditions.
As of the time of filing this report, the body of the deceased had not been recovered.
The task force commander used the opportunity to warn parents and guardians to caution their children against swimming in unsafe or unfamiliar waters, especially in areas affected by dredging.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed awareness of the incident.
The spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, stated that although no formal complaint had been lodged by the family, the police have commenced preliminary investigations and urged the relatives to officially report the case to enable a full inquiry.
This heartbreaking incident adds to growing concerns over safety around dredged waterways, with calls for increased public awareness and preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies.
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