River Sweeps Away Child, One Resued in Yobe
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
Search and rescue teams have intensified efforts to locate a child who went missing after two children were swept away by a river in Dapchi, Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at Unguwar Bulama Alhaji Ahmadu in the Dapchi community.
One of the children, identified as 14-year-old Goni Mustapha, was rescued at about 5 p.m., while the search for the second child remained ongoing as of Sunday evening.
The Director of Search and Rescue Operations at the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Jalo, confirmed the incident.
Jalo said state and local government search and rescue teams, supported by local divers, immediately commenced operations to locate the children.
He urged residents, particularly parents and guardians, to keep children away from rivers, streams and other bodies of water, especially during the rainy season.
He also advised residents against attempting to cross rivers when water levels are high or currents are strong.
Jalo further urged members of the public who witnessed anyone falling into a river to immediately alert rescue teams or community leaders rather than attempting to enter the water themselves.
He expressed sympathy to the affected family and prayed for the safe recovery of the missing child.
