The body of a 200-level Chemical Engineering student of the Federal University, Otuoke, who drowned in Ekoli Creek, Yenagoa, after allegedly attempting to swim across for a N300 bet, has been recovered.
The student’s remains were retrieved from the river on Monday evening, nearly 24 hours after he went missing.
Witnesses said he had jumped into the water but failed to resurface.
Grief-stricken students of the university held a candlelight procession in his honour on Monday night.
When contacted, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mercy Ekott, declined to comment, stating via text message, “Sorry, but I haven’t been authorised to speak on the matter.”
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Musa Mohammed, said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The deceased had gone to the river with a friend to bathe. Unfortunately, in the process, he jumped into the water and drowned.
“We urge students, especially young people, to exercise caution around rivers, whether they know how to swim or not,” he said.
Sources alleged that the student had wagered he could swim across the creek, but midway through, he submerged and did not reappear.
