Tragedy struck Monday in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, as two-year-old Godwin Kumfa drowned in Meme River.
It was gathered that a similar tragedy happened at the same river two years ago.
The incident reportedly happened at about 7:30 a.m Monday behind the Navy Quarters, Phase Two Extension, Lokoja.
His father, Mamtip Kumfa, a security guard at a private school in Lokoja told journalists that he received a distress call from a neighbour around 7:30 a.m that the boy was missing.
He said he returned home to find his wife searching frantically at the riverside, adding that his wife had left 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.
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 added 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. We don’t know if its natural or something else. Only God knows,” he said.
The boy’s mother, Lovina Kumfa, cried uncontrollably, pleading for help and divine intervention, saying, “I left him just for a while. When I came back, he was gone. Please God, help me find my child,” she prayed.