Dare Babalola
A man, Philip Jallo, has been taken into the custody of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy who fell and died in a soakaway.
The man, living in Durumi 2, Abuja was arrested by policemen attached to the Durumi divisional headquarters.
According to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Josephine Adeh, the boy drowned in the uncovered septic tank filled with feaces on July 16, 2025, at about 9:00 PM.
The soak away, which was dug in the residential area was allegedly left exposed by the negligent suspect despite repeated appeals by surrounding neighbors to cover it.
The Police spokesperson said preliminary investigation revealed that the uncovered soak away had long posed a danger to residents in the area.
Adeh added that the suspects reported turned a deaf ear to the pleas and warnings of concerned neighbours to the suspect who told him to take necessary actions concerning the exposed pit.
The child, according to the police, was playing within the compound when he tragically slipped and fell into the uncovered soakaway.
The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital after being rescued from the tank.
“While the suspect is currently in custody, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate incident and commiserates with the bereaved family.
“He also urges residents to take environmental safety seriously, while parents and guardians must also be vigilant and ensure their wards are properly monitored at all times to prevent such needless loss of life”, the statement added.
