Two youths have been declared missing after they were swept away by a swollen river in Hayin Malam Bello community, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a heavy downpour.

The incident occurred on Saturday as the victims attempted to cross the river while returning home from Kabala West, where they had gone before the rain.

Residents said the river, which had been safe to cross earlier in the day, became dangerous after the rainfall as water levels rose rapidly and the current became stronger.

A resident told Daily Trust that bystanders warned the two youths not to attempt crossing the river, but they ignored the advice.

“Some people warned them not to enter the river because the water level had risen, but they insisted they could cross,” the resident said.

Swollen river sweeps away two young men in Kaduna community

“Sadly, they were carried away by the water. We have been searching for them since then, but they have not been found.”

The incident has thrown the community into mourning, with residents joining emergency responders in the search for the missing youths.

Community leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Fage, confirmed the incident and described it as heartbreaking.

“It is very painful that two young men have been swept away by the river and are still missing. We pray that they will be found,” he said.

Fage also urged residents, especially young people, to avoid crossing rivers during the rainy season, warning that water levels can rise suddenly after heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) and the Kaduna State Fire Service have continued search and rescue operations.

The Head of Operations, NEMA Kaduna Operations Office, Hajia Halima Daudu Sulaiman, said rescue teams had been searching for the victims for several hours after commencing operations at about 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

She added that the search would continue until the missing youths are found.

Two Youths Swept Away by Flooded River in Kaduna, Search Ongoing

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