A man identified as Zobo is feared missing after reportedly jumping into a river while chasing his apprentice over an alleged ₦2,000 theft at a bridge around Emir’s Road, along Post Office, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident reportedly occurred around 8:30 a.m, on 17th. Saturday, October 2026, when Zobo, who accused his apprentice of stealing ₦2,000, chased him towards the river.
According to an eyewitness, Abdulazeez Taofeeq, the apprentice fell into the river while attempting to escape, prompting his boss to jump in after him.
“The boss claimed that his apprentice had stolen his ₦2,000. While chasing him, the apprentice fell into the river, and the boss followed him inside,” Taofeeq said.
He added that the apprentice eventually emerged from the water and waited for his boss to surface, but Zobo failed to come out.
Taofeeq identified Zobo as a Hausa scrap-metal dealer who engages in the collection and sale of discarded iron, steel and other metal materials.
Following the incident, local fishermen reportedly entered the river to search for the missing man. The apprentice also reportedly re-entered the water to help find his boss.
One of the river divers, Alhaji Eleja, reportedly made efforts to locate the man, but the search proved unsuccessful.
Speaking about the search, Alhaji warned that the river should not be underestimated, noting that some parts are particularly dangerous for people who cannot swim or navigate the water effectively.
He also cautioned elderly people, particularly those aged 70 and above, against entering such parts of the river, regardless of their swimming ability.
According to him, the river’s depth and conditions make it dangerous, and people should not assume it is safe simply because they can swim.
The Kwara State Fire Service also reportedly arrived at the scene to assist with the search but left after efforts to locate the missing man proved unsuccessful.
As of the time of filing this report, Zobo had not been found, and the search efforts is yet to yield any results.
