An alarming incident has been reported at Ukwu Mango, Ariaria Junction, Aba, Abia State, after a child reportedly fell into an open gutter and an adult man who attempted to rescue the child also disappeared into the drainage channel.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 25, 2026, according to information circulating on social media.
Reports indicate that the child was on the way to church when the incident occurred. An adult man reportedly entered the gutter in an attempt to rescue the child, but both were said to be missing approximately an hour later.
Eyewitness accounts circulating online have raised concerns that the drainage channel may be connected to a large underground tunnel, prompting fears that the water could have swept both individuals into the passage.
However, the circumstances surrounding the incident, the identities of those involved and their current whereabouts have yet to be independently confirmed.
The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers posed by uncovered drainage channels, particularly in areas where flowing water and underground tunnels may present serious risks to pedestrians and residents.
Residents and concerned members of the public are calling on the Abia State Government and relevant emergency and environmental authorities to investigate the incident, intensify search and rescue efforts, and assess the safety of drainage infrastructure in the area.
They have also urged the relevant authorities to identify hazardous open gutters and drainage channels and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents.
As concerns grow over the reported disappearance, confirmation from emergency responders and relevant government authorities is needed to establish what happened and determine the outcome of the rescue efforts.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
