Tragedy struck in Edo State on Sunday as two children lost their lives after drowning in a muddy floodwater collection point along Erediauwa Street, off Sapele Road, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
It was gathered that four children had gone to play around the area, which had been designated by the Edo State Government for floodwater retention, when they reportedly slipped into the muddy pit.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the children were playing near the site when the incident occurred.
According to the source, two of the victims were already lifeless before help could reach them, while the remaining two were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital where they were revived.
“The place is meant for floodwater collection and is always muddy. Nobody expected the children would wander into it. Sadly, two of them were brought out dead, but the other two were resuscitated after they were taken to hospital,” the witness said.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident on Monday.
She disclosed that upon receiving a distress call, a rescue team was promptly deployed to the scene.
Ikoedem stated that two of the children died before rescuers could pull them out of the mud, while the other two were successfully rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention.