Two
girls lost their lives while swimming in the Asata River along Bisalla
Road in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, on Saturday evening.
While the corpse of one of the victims,
Chidera Nwekwe, was recovered hours after the incident, the body of the
other victim had not been located as of Sunday afternoon. Her identity
remained a mystery.
Eyewitnesses at the riverside told our
correspondent that the victims were hawkers on the popular Bisalla
Road/New Haven junction, about 800 metres from the Enugu State
Government House.
It was learnt that they had gone
swimming with some of the destitute persons who usually begged for alms
on Bisalla Road, but drowned since they were inexperienced swimmers.
Chukwuebuka Nwekwe, the elder brother of
one of the victims, said he was shocked that Chidera could go swimming
when she had never attempted such.
He said they hailed from Akpugo Village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to him, the last time he saw her was on Saturday morning, shortly before he left for work.
Chukwuebuka said, “She was only 13 and
had never tried swimming. I feel so sad that she had to die this way.
She would have been alive if these people who beg for alms on the road
had not lured her and her friend to swim at the river.
“The painful thing about the whole situation is that we are orphans and we have no one to turn to.”
The Enugu State Police Command said it
was unaware of the incident. However, the Police Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the command would immediately mobilise
its officers to the scene.
He said, “Thank you for informing us. I
will alert the command and we will mobilise our men to the scene right
away. I will get back to you as soon as we are readyto make a
statement.”
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Destitutes lured them to swim!!??
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that Chidera cannot narrate what happened.
My condolence to her surviving relatives.
My condolence to her family and may gentle soul rest in peace, Amen.
ReplyDelete