The body of a 200-level Chemical Engineering student from the Federal University, Otuoke, who drowned in Ekoli Creek, Yenagoa, after reportedly attempting to swim across for a ₦300 bet, has been recovered.
The student’s remains were retrieved from the river on Monday evening, nearly 24 hours after he went missing.
Witnesses reported that he jumped into the water but failed to resurface.
Grief-stricken students of the university held a candlelight procession in his honor on Monday night.
When contacted, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mercy Ekott, declined to comment, stating via text message, “Sorry, but I haven’t been authorised to speak on the matter.”
Police Confirm Investigation Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Bayelsa State Police Command spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, stated that an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
“The deceased had gone to the river with a friend to bathe. Unfortunately, in the process, he jumped into the water and drowned.
We urge students, especially young people, to exercise caution around rivers, whether they know how to swim or not.”
Sources alleged that the student had wagered he could swim across the creek, but midway through, he submerged and did not reappear.