A University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) student drowned while swimming in the Gwange River in Maiduguri, Borno State. Another student was rescued and hospitalized. Authorities have urged caution around water bodies, especially during the dry season. The tragic incident has left the university community mourning.
A tragic incident occurred in Maiduguri, Borno State, when two University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) students drowned while swimming in the Gwange River. The event took place on the evening of March 14, 2025, at the riverbank behind ECWA Church.
The students, identified as Abafras Abdiel from the Forestry Department and Silas Sule from the Geology Department, reportedly went for a swim when they both struggled to stay afloat. Witnesses raised the alarm, prompting an urgent response from local authorities, including the police, fire service, and divers.
Rescue teams managed to pull both students from the water and rushed them to the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri. Unfortunately, Silas Sule was pronounced dead on arrival, while Abafras Abdiel received medical attention and survived the ordeal.
Authorities have since urged students and residents to be cautious when swimming in local water bodies, particularly during the dry season when water currents can be unpredictable. The tragic loss of Silas Sule has left the university community in mourning, with calls for increased safety awareness around rivers and lakes.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of unsupervised swimming, as the authorities continue their efforts to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
