TWO FEARED DROWNED IN KWARA RIVER OVER ALLEGED ₦2,000 DISPUTE

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Two persons are feared drowned in the Asa River at Asa Bridge along Emir’s Road in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, following an altercation reportedly linked to a ₦2,000 disagreement.

According to reports, an apprentice and his master allegedly chased each other to the bridge before plunging into the river on Saturday.

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed that it responded to a rescue emergency at the bridge on Saturday, October 17, 2026, following reports that a man had jumped into the river during a confrontation and was subsequently declared missing.

The spokesperson for the state Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ilorin, explaining that the agency received a distress call and deployed its personnel to the scene at about 10:15 a.m.

According to Adekunle, preliminary information gathered at the scene indicated that an altercation had occurred between two adults, during which one person sustained an injury.

He said a man identified as Abubakar reportedly ran towards the river and jumped in, while another man, identified as 42-year-old Nasiru, who had attempted to intervene, also entered the water and was subsequently reported to have drowned.

Adekunle stated that firefighters immediately launched an intensive search-and-rescue operation upon receiving the report.

“Upon receiving the report, our firefighters immediately commenced an intensive search and rescue operation. The operation continued for several hours, with our personnel making concerted efforts to locate the missing man.

“Despite the extensive efforts undertaken so far, the search has yet to yield the desired result,” he said.

The Fire Service spokesperson disclosed that the search operation was still ongoing as of the time of the report, with personnel continuing efforts to locate the missing persons.

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, was also present at the scene to supervise the operation and provide leadership for the rescue team.

Muhammed cautioned members of the public against jumping into rivers or other bodies of water during confrontations or emergencies, urging them to prioritise their safety and contact the appropriate emergency response agencies for assistance.

He further advised residents to remain calm during disputes and allow trained emergency responders to handle potentially dangerous situations.