A 16-year-old boy, identified as Miebaka Koko, has drowned while swimming with friends at Derock Waterside in Ogoloma Community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State..
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday when a strong current swept him away, with rescue efforts proving unsuccessful.
According to eyewitnesses, the teenager was swept away by a powerful current shortly after entering the river. His friends reportedly ran out of the water to seek help when they realised he was struggling.
Speaking on the incident, the Sector Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Okrika, Igwe Godswill, blamed the tragedy on the increased depth of the river caused by extensive dredging activities in the area.
“Companies have dredged almost all the waterfront areas in Okrika. The dredging has made the river much deeper, making it extremely dangerous for swimmers,” he said.
Godswill explained that rescuers rushed to the scene after hearing cries for help and briefly saw the boy’s hands above the water, but the strong current prevented them from reaching him before he disappeared beneath the surface.
“It is very painful. We tried everything possible, but the current was too strong,” he lamented.
He warned parents to closely monitor their children and discourage them from swimming in unsafe rivers, noting that many waterways in the area have become hazardous due to dredging.
As of the time of filing this report, the victim’s body had not been recovered.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed awareness of the incident. Police spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the family had yet to make a formal report but assured that an investigation would commence once the matter is officially reported.
