Tears as BSU student drowns while swimming in River Benue

The lifeless body of Abel Agaba, a 24-year-old student of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, was recovered from River Benue on Friday morning after he reportedly drowned while swimming.

Agaba, a 200-level Chemistry student, had been missing since Thursday night after heading to the river to cool off due to intense heat.

According to a close family friend, he had earlier watched a football match at a viewing center near his residence on Awe Street, Wurukum, before proceeding to the river at about 11:45 p.m.

A source revealed that Agaba’s friends warned him against swimming at that hour, but he insisted, as night swimming was common in the area during hot weather.

“Nobody thought to check on him until Friday morning when a fisherman went to inspect his net and found Agaba’s lifeless body caught in it. The fisherman raised the alarm, and people rushed to the scene to recover his body,” the source said.

His family later identified the body and took it to the mortuary. His tragic death has left the Awe Street neighborhood in mourning, as he was known as a peaceful and dedicated student.

When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, stated that she had not yet received information on the incident.