Two feared drowned as NEMA, KADSEMA intensify search in Kaduna river

The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency and the Kaduna State Fire Service, has intensified search and rescue operations for two persons feared drowned after they were reportedly swept away by the Kaduna River following a heavy downpour.

The victims, identified as 27-year-old Musa Musa Bawa, a 200-level student of the College of Nursing, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, and 25-year-old Abubakar Ibrahim Muhammad Likoro, an employee of Olam Flour Mills, were said to have been carried away by floodwaters while attempting to cross the swollen river on Saturday evening.

The Head of NEMA Operations Office, Kaduna, Hajiya Halima Suleiman, disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, saying the agency immediately activated its emergency response team after receiving a distress call.

She said the operation, which began on Sunday morning at Hayin Mallam Bello community in Kaduna South Local Government Area, involved personnel from NEMA, KADSEMA, the Kaduna State Fire Service, local divers and other emergency responders.

Suleiman said, “Upon receiving the distress call, we immediately mobilised personnel and activated the emergency response team to the scene. Local divers and emergency responders have been searching the river since Sunday morning.

“Despite the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the two victims had yet to be found as of the time of this report. The search will continue until they are located.”

She assured residents that emergency agencies would sustain the operation until the missing persons were recovered.

“We remain committed to this operation. Together with our partners, we will continue the search until the victims are found,” she added.

The NEMA official commended the dedication of emergency personnel and local volunteers participating in the rescue operation, describing their efforts as professional and resilient despite the challenging conditions.

Suleiman also visited the families of the missing persons to sympathise with them and encouraged them to remain hopeful as the search continued.

She urged residents to exercise caution during the rainy season by avoiding attempts to cross flooded rivers, streams and drainage channels.

“The water level has risen significantly due to the persistent rains, making such crossings extremely dangerous. We appeal to residents to prioritise their safety and promptly report emergencies to the appropriate authorities for immediate response,” she said.

Officials of KADSEMA and the Kaduna State Fire Service disclosed that additional divers and rescue equipment had been deployed to expand the search area along the river.

Community leaders in Hayin Mallam Bello commended the swift intervention of the emergency agencies and pledged to support the operation by providing local knowledge of the river and surrounding terrain.

As the operation entered its second day on Monday, anxious family members, friends and colleagues of the victims remained at the riverbank, praying for a breakthrough in the search.

The latest incident comes amid recurring warnings by emergency management agencies against crossing flooded waterways during the peak of the rainy season, when heavy rainfall often triggers flash floods and dangerous currents across many parts of the country.