Toddler drowns in water container as police investigate negligence case

• Suspected burglar arrested in Lagos

A tragic incident occurred in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on March 3, when a three-year-old girl, Sonia Emmanuel, drowned in a mini water container at her home.

The incident took place at about 4:00 p.m. while the child’s mother, Etalong Marina, was at the market, leaving Sonia in the care of her 10-year-old sibling.

It was learnt that the toddler had been attempting to fetch water from the container when she accidentally fell in. Sonia’s uncle, Idu Simon, reported the incident to the Mpape Police Division at about 6:30 p.m. The child was rushed to Jarel Hospital in Mpape, where she was pronounced dead.

A source close to the investigation disclosed that no foul play was suspected, and the family declined an autopsy. Police subsequently released the child’s remains to the family for burial.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that investigations were ongoing. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the mother left the child at home with her 10-year-old sibling,” Adeh said. “While trying to fetch water from a mini water container, the child tragically drowned.”

Adeh added that the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Olatunji Disu, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case for thorough investigation, with plans to forward it to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

In a statement, CP Disu emphasised the importance of parental responsibility, urging parents and guardians to ensure proper adult supervision of children to prevent such tragedies. He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and prosecuting cases of parental neglect.

In a separate development, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos have arrested a 27-year-old suspected burglar, Yusuf Ojo, while he was allegedly on his way to sell three mobile phones stolen from his benefactor.

Ojo was apprehended around 5:00 a.m. last Wednesday in Oshodi. According to preliminary investigations, he had burgled the home of one Michael in Iyana Iyesi, Ogun State, at about midnight while the victim and his family were asleep. Earlier that day, Ojo had reportedly received financial assistance from Michael to support himself.

Police revealed that the suspect was arrested en route to Mushin, where he intended to sell the stolen phones. The case has since been charged to court for trial.