The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has intensified its search and rescue operations for 13-year-old Great Duru, who fell into the Apa River in Urumi Village, near Idu Railway Junction.
According to a statement on Friday by Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs for FEMD, the tragic incident happened on Thursday, May 15, when Duru jumped into the river to save his younger sister, who had accidentally fallen into the water while they played along the riverbank with a friend and another sibling.
Isa stated that the FEMD search and rescue team received a distress call via the 112 emergency toll-free number at approximately 3:45 p.m., which prompted an immediate deployment of rescue personnel to the scene.
Eyewitness accounts gathered by FEMD indicated that although Duru’s sister miraculously managed to swim to safety, he was swept away by the river’s fast-flowing current during the rescue attempt.
“He was swept away by the fast-flowing river as he attempted to save his sister, who fell into the river. However, his sister miraculously swam to safety,” the statement read.
While at Urumi Village, FEMD officials visited the traditional leaders of the Gbagyi and Ibo communities, as well as the Duru family, who are reported to be currently out of Abuja.
The Acting Director General of FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, especially around water bodies, to prevent such tragedies.
“We are working tirelessly and in collaboration with local divers to locate the missing boy. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” he said.
