Teenage Boy Drowns in Benue River After Skipping School

A devastating tragedy struck the Gboko West area of Benue State on Thursday as a teenage boy, Japheth Amine, lost his life after drowning in the River Nomnor Mke. 

Japheth, a secondary school student, reportedly left school without permission alongside a group of friends during study hours to visit the nearby river for a swim. 

According to eyewitness accounts, the boys appeared to be enjoying themselves in the water until Japheth ventured further into the river and was suddenly overpowered by a strong current. 

Despite frantic attempts by his peers to rescue him, he was pulled under and disappeared from view. His lifeless body was later discovered around 1:45 p.m. by local residents who had come to the riverbank to wash clothes. 

The news of the drowning has sent shockwaves through the Gboko West community, where Japheth was known as a lively and well-liked student. 

Residents gathered at the scene in grief and disbelief, mourning the loss of a young life that ended far too soon. Many expressed concern over the ease with which students are able to leave school premises unnoticed. 

Community leaders and local authorities have since issued urgent calls for stricter supervision of students during school hours. 

They are also urging parents to have open conversations with their children about the dangers of skipping school and engaging in unsupervised activities, particularly around rivers and other high-risk environments. 

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers young people face when unsupervised, and it has reignited discussions about the need for improved safety measures, both within schools and across local communities.