By: Sunday Ameh
Operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service on Wednesday recovered the lifeless body of a man suspected to be mentally unstable from the Asa River, near Emir’s Road in Ilorin, the state capital.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 11:06 a.m., caused tension among residents and passersby who gathered at the scene as the body was seen floating on the river.
According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Fire Service, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the identity of the deceased could not be immediately confirmed, though eyewitnesses claimed the victim had been mentally challenged.
“The cause of the drowning could not be immediately ascertained. The recovered body was later handed over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, for further necessary action,” the statement read in part.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with the family of the deceased and the general public.
He urged residents to exercise caution and avoid risky activities around rivers and other water bodies, especially during the rainy season, to prevent similar tragedies.
Olumuyiwa reaffirmed the service’s commitment to prompt emergency response and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
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