A 16-year-old boy, Miebaka Koko, has died after being swept away by strong currents while swimming at Derock Waterside in Ogoloma community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 30, 2026, when the teenager went into the water with three of his friends at the waterfront.
Eyewitnesses said the boys were swimming when Koko suddenly ran into difficulty and was unable to stay afloat. His friends quickly rushed out of the river and raised an alarm after noticing he was in distress.
Residents and local responders moved to the scene and attempted a rescue, but efforts were unsuccessful due to the strong current and depth of the water. He was eventually swept under before help could reach him.
The Sector Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Okrika LGA, Igwe Godswill, attributed the incident to the growing risks posed by waterfronts in the area, which he linked to dredging activities that have deepened parts of the river and made conditions more unpredictable.
He explained that areas that appear shallow near the shoreline can suddenly drop into deep sections, increasing the danger for swimmers.
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Godswill said four boys had gone to the waterfront before the incident, adding that rescue efforts were hindered by strong currents.
He also noted that recovering bodies from the river is often difficult and may take time due to water conditions in the area.
He urged parents and guardians to discourage children from swimming in unsafe locations and to closely monitor their movements around waterfronts.
Security personnel, including a police officer and soldiers attached to Sector 3, were present at the scene. As of the time of filing this report, the body of the deceased had not been recovered.
The Rivers State Police Command said it was aware of the incident but had yet to receive a formal report from the family.
Spokesperson of the command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the police were awaiting an official complaint to commence a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drowning.