Man drowns while trying to rescue his apprentice who jumped into a river during a heated argument over N2000

A 42-year-old man identified as Nasiru has been reported missing after jumping into the Asa River in Ilorin, Kwara State, during a desperate attempt to rescue his apprentice, Abubakar.

According to eyewitnesses, a heated monetary dispute erupted between the two individuals under the Asa Bridge along Emir’s Road. As the altercation escalated, Abubakar reportedly ran toward the riverbank and plunged into the water.

In a swift bid to save his apprentice, Nasiru dove into the river after him. While Abubakar was successfully rescued from the water, Nasiru was swept away by the current and remains missing.

The Kwara State Fire Service launched an immediate response after receiving a distress call. The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, confirmed that tactical search and rescue teams were deployed to the scene immediately to comb the river.

The fire service stated that while search operations have not yet yielded results, efforts to locate Nasiru remain fully active under the direct supervision of the Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed.

Chief Fire Officer Muhammed has urged residents to refrain from entering rivers or other dangerous bodies of water during emergencies or personal confrontations. He advised members of the public to remain calm during disputes, prioritize their safety, and leave hazardous operations to trained emergency responders.