4year old boy drowns in Ilorin

An early morning rain on Sunday washed away a four-year-old boy, identified simply as Gideon.

The incident which occurred at about 7.30am was said to have caused confusion in the Atikeke community of Gaa-Akanbi area, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred when the grandmother of the boy was taking him to church.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the victim slipped when they got to a narrow path where steel was laid across the river for passersby to cross. He was said to have slipped into the water below.

The source said, “I saw them when they were coming; I was on the other side of the river.

“The old woman waited for her grandchildren to pass one by one, but the boy in front of all of them slipped inside the river.

“I think the steel was slippery due to the early morning rain.”

When our correspondent visited the victim’s residence, the grandmother was seen wailing uncontrollably.

She said, “When my grandson slipped inside the river, he was calling my name.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara Police command, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said he had yet to be briefed about the matter.

Source: Punch