Boy, 15, drowns in swamp while fishing

A 15-year-old boy, identified only as Ikponmwosa, has drowned in a swamp at Uselu, in the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

Ikponmwosa was said to have fallen into the swamp located on Iyoba Street while he was fishing on Wednesday.

It was learnt that the deceased, along with some friends, had gone fishing after they were allegedly sent home due to the protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the increase in the pump price of petrol.

According to a source, the 15-year-old boy attempted to pick up what he suspected to be catfish from the swamp when he reportedly drowned.

The situation was said to have caused pandemonium among his friends who appeared helpless.

It was, however, learnt that his corpse was later recovered.

The mother of the diseased, Mrs. Maureen Igiebor, said her son initially returned home from school.

She also noted that he died before he could receive any assistance.

She said, “He ran home and removed his school uniform. Suddenly, a little boy came, telling me that my son, Ikponmwosa, had drowned.

“The boy told me that he got drowned while fishing for catfish from the swamp,” she added.

A sister of the victim, Omosigho, who also expressed shock over the incident, called on the state government to address the prevalence of swamps in some parts of the state capital.

“The government should come and do something about this swamp because there are other helpless children out there. My only brother that I have is dead,” Omosigho said.

A resident of the area, Mr. Sunday Igbinidu, lamented that the swamp had been a source of concern for residents and had allegedly claimed a life in the past.

Igbinidu said, “We don’t want this kind of thing to happen again. The state government and the Federal Government should do something about this water.

“About three years ago, somebody died in this swamp. Another incident happened this year before the latest tragedy.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Osifo Abiodun, told our correspondent on Thursday that he had yet to be briefed on the incident.

“I am not aware. In fact, I travelled to Abuja; I am on my way back to Benin. I will try and find out,” Abiodun said on the telephone.