In a heartbreaking event, two young men have gone missing after being swept away by a swollen river in the Hayin Malam Bello community, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2026, amid a heavy downpour.
According to local residents, the victims were trying to cross the river while returning home from Kabala West. Earlier in the day, the river was considered passable; however, heavy rain led to a significant rise in water levels and strong currents. Witnesses reported that community members warned the young men against attempting to cross but they insisted they could manage.
A community member lamented, “Some people warned them not to enter the river because the water level had risen, but they insisted they could cross.” Unfortunately, the two were carried away by the fast-moving water, prompting an immediate search effort by local residents.
The incident has plunged the community into mourning, with many joining rescue teams to search for the missing individuals. Community leader Alhaji Ibrahim Fage expressed his sorrow, stating, “It is very painful that two young men have been swept away by the river and are still missing. We pray that they will be found.” He urged residents, especially young people, to refrain from crossing rivers during the rainy season, warning of the risks associated with sudden increases in water levels.
Search and rescue operations are presently being carried out by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), and the Kaduna State Fire Service. Hajia Halima Daudu Sulaiman, Head of Operations at the NEMA Kaduna Operations Office, confirmed that teams have been actively searching for over three hours since operations began around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, but the missing youths have yet to be found. Sulaiman assured that rescue teams would continue their efforts until the individuals are located.
