The Kwara State Fire Service has continued its search and rescue operation at Asa Bridge, along Emir’s Road, Ilorin, following an incident in which a 42-year-old man was reported missing in the river after an altercation.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, after a disagreement reportedly broke out between two adults, leaving one person injured.
According to a press release issued by the Kwara State Fire Service Public Relations Officer, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, firefighters received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 10:15 a.m.
Information gathered at the scene indicated that a man identified as Abubakar reportedly ran towards the river and jumped in following the altercation.
Another man, identified as Nasiru, aged 42, who had attempted to intervene in the situation, also entered the river and was subsequently reported to have drowned.
However, the whereabouts of the missing man had yet to be confirmed as of the time the statement was issued.
Search Operation Ongoing
The Fire Service said its personnel immediately commenced an intensive search and rescue operation, which continued for several hours without locating the missing man.
The Chief Fire Officer, CFO Alabi Muhammed, was present at the scene, providing leadership and overseeing the operation.
The agency assured the public that its personnel would continue the search and make every necessary effort to locate the missing man.
Fire Service Warns Against Risky Rescue Attempts
Reacting to the incident, Alabi urged members of the public to avoid entering rivers or other bodies of water during confrontations and emergency situations.
He advised residents to prioritise their safety, remain calm during disputes and contact the appropriate emergency response agencies for assistance.
The Chief Fire Officer further urged members of the public to allow trained emergency responders to handle dangerous situations rather than putting their lives at risk.
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to the ongoing search operation, promising to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
As of the time of the statement, the search operation remained ongoing, and the missing man’s whereabouts had not been confirmed.
