BY NEWS DESK, JULY 28, 2025 | 3:28PM
A 16-year-old boy, Hashimu Sale, has lost his life after drowning in the Gadabul River in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The tragic incident occurred on July 24, 2025, at about 12:00 PM, when Hashimu went swimming at the river with friends.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the event in a statement issued on Monday by the command's spokesman, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso.
According to the police, the deceased's brother, Ibrahim Sale, a civil servant, reported the matter to the Bulumkutu Police Division, which quickly responded to the scene.
The police recovered the body and took it to the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital, where a medical doctor later certified him dead.
The command has expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to exercise extreme caution and monitor the whereabouts of their children, especially around water bodies and flood-prone zones.
In response to this incident, the command has intensified community engagement and public sensitization efforts to caution parents, guardians, and youths against swimming in rivers, particularly during the peak rainy season.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, has assured the public that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents and will continue working with community leaders and stakeholders to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
Residents are advised to contact the emergency numbers 0806 807 5581 or 0802 347 3293 in case of any emergency.