Two-year-old drowns in Lokoja river

A tragic incident occurred on Monday in Lokoja as two-year-old Godwin Kumfa drowned in the Meme River near his home in Phase Two.
The incident reportedly happened at about 7:30 a.m. behind the Navy Quarters, Phase Two Extension, in Lokoja.
His father, Mamtip Kumfa, told journalists that he received a distress call from a neighbour around 7:30 a.m. that the boy was missing.
Mr Kumfa, a security guard at a private school, said he returned home to find his wife searching frantically at the riverside.
He explained that his wife had left Mr Godwin sitting by the river while she went to collect sand and returned to find him gone.
“Godwin was left alone by the river while she gathered sand,” Mr Kumfa said, his voice filled with grief.
“Later, we found one of his shoes near Arigbede, about 15 km downstream. I’m lost. Godwin is my only son,” he added.
A family friend, Seun Babalola, said they trailed the river path, but could only find the boy’s shoe downstream.
He revealed that a similar tragedy had happened at the same river two years ago, involving another young boy.
“Two years ago, a seven-year-old named Goodluck Friday also drowned here. It’s painful.
“We don’t know if it’s natural or something else. Only God knows,” he said.
The boy’s mother, Lovina Kumfa, cried uncontrollably, pleading for help and divine intervention.
“I left him just for a while. When I came back, he was gone. Please God, help me find my child,” she sobbed.
The community remains in shock, as family, friends, and neighbours rally around the grieving parents.
At the time of filing this report, efforts to recover the child (or his remains) were still ongoing by local search parties.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Driver jailed nine months for stealing
A magistrate’s court in Jos sentenced a 26-year-old driver, Jacob Davou, to nine months in prison for theft on Tuesday.

Lagos
Two die, nine injured in Lagos-Abeokuta expressway crash
The corpses of victims have been deposited at the Ifo General Hospital, Ogun, while the survivors are also receiving treatment.

World
Over 100 people killed in Texas flood, many still missing
At least 104 people, including children, have been killed and scores are missing after a deadly flash flood ravaged Texas, U.S.

Health
Suspected diphtheria outbreak kills three children in Zaria
Mr Basharata also reported that four children showing diphtheria symptoms were admitted at Kakaki Primary Health Care Clinic near Kwarbai.

States
Police arrest UNN student for murder of female colleague
“Findings revealed that on June 14, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., the suspect checked into a hotel in Obukpa, Nsukka, with the deceased,” said the police.

Economy
Nigeria, Vietnam to strengthen relations on energy, trade
Mr Tinubu said Vietnam had been a key partner of Nigeria in Southern Asia, which underscored his eagerness to fortify the bonds between them.