A tragic incident occurred in Edo State on Sunday when two children drowned after falling into a floodwater collection point along Erediauwa Street, off Sapele Road, in Benin City, the state capital.
The incident reportedly happened in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area when four children were playing around a floodwater drainage collection site. According to eyewitness accounts, the children slipped into the muddy water, resulting in the death of two of them. The remaining two children were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital where they were revived.
A witness said, “That area is meant to collect floodwater, and no one expected the children to go there because it’s very muddy. Two were fished out dead, while the other two were taken to the hospital and resuscitated.”
Confirming the incident, spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said rescue teams were immediately deployed after reports of the accident were received.
“Two of the children, unfortunately, died in the mud before rescue arrived, while two others were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment,” she said.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers associated with flood-prone and water-logged areas, particularly when children are left unsupervised.
