By Nkechi Eze
Efforts have intensified in the Federal Capital Territory to locate 13-year-old Great Duru, who was swept away in the fast-flowing Apa River in Urumi village, near Idu Railway Junction, while attempting to save his younger sibling.
According to an official signed statement by Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs, FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), the incident occurred when Great Duru and his two siblings, along with a friend, were playing near the riverbank. One of his sisters accidentally fell into the water, prompting him to dive in to rescue her. While his sister miraculously managed to swim to safety, Great Duru was carried away by the strong current.
FEMD’s Search and Rescue Team responded swiftly to the distress call received via the 112 emergency toll-free number at approximately 3:45 p.m. on the day of the incident.
“The bravery of this young boy is deeply moving. He risked his life for his sister—a truly heroic act,” said the Acting Director General of FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, during a visit to the site. “Our team is working tirelessly, in collaboration with local divers, to recover him. We will not relent in our efforts.”
While in Urumi village, FEMD officials visited both the Gbagyi and Igbo traditional leaders as well as the home of the Duru family, who were reported to be out of Abuja at the time of the incident.
Engr. Mohammed used the occasion to appeal to parents and guardians to remain vigilant, especially during the rainy season when water levels in rivers and streams tend to rise unpredictably.
“This heartbreaking incident underscores the need for close supervision of children, particularly around bodies of water,” he stated. “We also encourage residents to make use of the 112 emergency number in any crisis. Early alerts save lives.”
As of the time of this report, the search for Great Duru remains ongoing, with heightened efforts from both emergency responders and community volunteers.
