TRAGIC: Final Year Student Drowns in Swimming Pool in Benue

 December 3, 2013

Pandemonium broke out at a community opposite the Benue State University, Makurdi, when a middle-aged man believed to be a student, got drowned while swimming in a pool at a popular spot in the area.

The deceased, identified as Victor, was a final year student of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM). He went for a swim at Symbols Plaza, located opposite the BSU College of Medicine, before the unfortunate incident occurred at the weekend.

The entire community was thrown into confusion, as customers and guests who came to the place to relax, were forced to vacate for fear of been questioned and arrested by security operatives.

It was gathered that the deceased had taken some alcoholic beverages before he dived into the water to swim.

Another version had it that the deceased was beaten by some rival cult members before he was finally thrown into the water.

“The deceased got drowned probably because he took alcohol and it appeared he did not know how to swim”, and eyewitness told to Leadership reporters.

The management of Symbols plaza debunked the claim that the deceased died in the swimming pool or was beaten by rival cult members.

The state Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. John Tondo, owner of Symbols Plaza, revealed in a telephone conversation that "it was this morning that the manager told me of the incident. The boy never died in the swimming pool. He got drowned but was quickly rushed to the hospital where he was later confirmed dead".

The police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala confirmed the incident and said “investigation into the matter is on-going to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.”