Three teenagers, two boys and a girl, have reportedly drowned in a beach at Mkpanak community of Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, brings to 10 the total number of persons who have drowned in the popular Ibeno beach from last year till date.
An eyewitness, Mr. Asuquo Isangdighe, a photographer, said the victims had engaged in a road walk after which they dived into the river to have their bath.
Though the identities of the deceased could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, Isangdighe disclosed that one of the victims had just graduated from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
“They were five, two of them got lucky and escaped. Their ages were between 13 and 19 years. The body of the female victim floated to the shores of the river and was buried same day at the bank of the river as custom and tradition demands. The two other bodies floated to the shores of the river on Monday and they were buried too at the bank of the river,” Isangidighe said.
When contacted, the Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon, said he has not been informed about the incident. He, however, promised to confirm the incident as soon as he is briefed.