Tragedy as Benue Varsity student drowns in River Benue

The lifeless body of a 24-year-old student of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, Mr. Abel Agaba, was recovered from River Benue on Friday morning after he reportedly drowned while swimming.  

According to sources close to the family, the deceased, a 200-level Chemistry student, had gone missing on Thursday night after heading to the river to cool off due to intense heat.

A family friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Agaba, who lived with relatives around Awe Street in the Wurukum area of Makurdi, had earlier watched a football match at a local viewing center with his friends.

After the game, at approximately 11:45 p.m., he decided to take a swim in the nearby river, an outing that tragically ended in his untimely death.

His disappearance sparked concern, leading to a search effort that culminated in the discovery of his body the following morning.

He said, “we learnt that after watching the European football matches that finished at about 11.45pm he said he was hot and wanted to swim in River Benue to cool his body.

“Though those with him advised him against going to the River as it was already too late, he insisted and went since it was the usual practice around the area for people to go swimming at night whenever there is intense heat as we have now.

“He went alone and nobody bothered to check on him till Friday morning when a fisherman in the neighbourhood went to the River to check his fishing net for fishes and discovered Agaba’s lifeless body attached to his fishing net.

“The man raised the alarm and people went and recovered his body which was identified by his family members who took his remains to the mortuary.

“The death of the young man has thrown Awe Street neighbourhood into mourning because he was a gentle man who gave his time to his studies and never had issues with anyone.”

Contacted, the Pople Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive information on the incident.