Emergency responders deploy divers and rescue equipment as search enters second day after two young men were swept away by floodwaters
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), working alongside the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) and the Kaduna State Fire Service, has intensified a painstaking search and rescue operation for two young men feared drowned after they were swept away by the swollen Kaduna River during heavy rainfall.
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The missing victims were identified as 27-year-old Musa Musa Bawa, a 200-level student of the College of Nursing, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, and 25-year-old Abubakar Ibrahim Muhammad Likoro, an employee of Olam Flour Mills. Both men were reportedly attempting to cross the river on Saturday evening when surging floodwaters carried them away.
The Head of NEMA Operations Office in Kaduna, Hajiya Halima Suleiman, said the agency immediately activated its emergency response team after receiving a distress call.
According to Suleiman, the operation commenced on Sunday morning at Hayin Mallam Bello community in Kaduna South Local Government Area, bringing together personnel from NEMA, KADSEMA, the Kaduna State Fire Service, local divers and other emergency responders.
“Upon receiving the distress call, we immediately mobilised personnel and activated the emergency response team to the scene. Local divers and emergency responders have been searching the river since Sunday morning,” Suleiman said.
“Despite the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the two victims had yet to be found as of the time of this report. The search will continue until they are located.”
As the operation entered its second day on Monday, additional divers and rescue equipment were deployed to widen the search area along the river in the hope of locating the missing men.
Suleiman assured residents that emergency agencies would sustain the operation until both victims were recovered.
“We remain committed to this operation. Together with our partners, we will continue the search until the victims are found,” she added.
The NEMA official also praised the dedication of emergency personnel and community volunteers, describing their efforts under difficult conditions as relentless and professional.
In a gesture of support, Suleiman visited the families of the missing men, offering condolences and encouraging them to remain hopeful as rescue teams continued their work.
Community leaders in Hayin Mallam Bello commended the swift response by emergency agencies and pledged to assist the operation by providing local knowledge of the river’s terrain and currents.
Meanwhile, anxious relatives, friends and colleagues remained at the riverbank throughout Monday, praying for positive news as rescue teams combed the flood-swollen waterway.
The incident has prompted fresh safety warnings from emergency authorities as the rainy season intensifies across Nigeria.
Suleiman urged residents to avoid attempting to cross flooded rivers, streams and drainage channels, noting that persistent rainfall had significantly increased water levels and strengthened river currents.
“The water level has risen significantly due to the persistent rains, making such crossings extremely dangerous. We appeal to residents to prioritise their safety and promptly report emergencies to the appropriate authorities for immediate response,” she said.
The latest incident adds to a series of flood-related emergencies recorded across Nigeria during the annual rainy season.
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NEMA and state emergency agencies have repeatedly cautioned residents against crossing overflowing waterways, warning that flash floods and powerful currents remain among the leading causes of preventable drowning incidents during periods of heavy rainfall.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
