Taiwo Popoola
A student of the Benue State University, BSU, Makurdi, Mr Abel Agaba, who was reported to have drowned in the River Benue, was recovered on Friday.
A source said the deceased, who is a 200-level student of the Chemistry Department of the institution, had gone missing after swimming in River Benue.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Agaba, who lived with family members at Awe Street in the Wurukum area of Makurdi town, went to the nearby River Benue after watching a football match at a viewing center at about 11:45 pm.
He said, “we learnt that after watching the European football matches that finished at about 11:45 pm, he said he was feeling hot and wanted to swim in the 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.
“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.”
When contacted for confirmation, Spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, CSP, Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive information on the incident.
