12-Year-Old Drowns Trying To Save Brother’s Sandals

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A 12-year-old boy, identified simply as Razak, got drowned at Alfa Nla area of Agege, Lagos State, while attempting to save his younger brother’s sandals from drainage. According to witnesses, Razak drowned about 3p.m.

The incident occurred during the rain on Friday. Every part of the community was said to have been flooded. The incident happened while he was returning from mosque, after the Jumat prayer.

A resident, identified as Laide, said: “The incident happened while the boys were returning from Jumat prayer. It was raining heavily. Razak’s brother suddenly called him and told him that one of his sandals had been carried away by the flood.

The sandal was carried by the current into the drainage. Razak tried to get the sandal, but fell straight into the drainage. He was immediately swept away by the current in the flooded drainage.”

Razak’s brother shouted his name to no avail, and then ran home to give his parents the tragic news. Friends, neighbours and family members of the deceased moved out into the rain to search for the boy.

The people split into groups and went to different areas where canals are situated. It was further gathered that a little boy had earlier sighted Razak’s body being taken away by the flood and alerted adults, but nobody paid attention to him.

Another resident, Miliki, who works at Cement bus stop, said: “While it was still raining, a little boy said he saw a body, but nobody paid attention to him.”