A tragic incident in Abuja has led to the arrest of a man, Philip Jallo, after a three-year-old boy fell into an uncovered septic tank and died in the Durumi 2 area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The heartbreaking event happened around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, while the child was playing within a residential compound. Reports say the toddler accidentally slipped and fell into the exposed soakaway, which was filled with human waste.
Spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that preliminary investigations revealed gross negligence on the part of the suspect. Residents had reportedly warned Jallo multiple times about the danger posed by the open septic tank, but he allegedly ignored their concerns.
“The soakaway had remained uncovered for quite some time, despite repeated warnings from neighbours urging the suspect to secure it,” Adeh noted.
The boy was eventually pulled out and rushed to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
Jallo is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
In a reaction to the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and emphasized the importance of community safety. He urged residents to be more conscious of environmental hazards and encouraged parents to monitor their children closely to prevent avoidable tragedies.
He also assured that the command would not hesitate to prosecute individuals found culpable in incidents that threaten public safety.
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