A heart-wrenching tragedy struck the Awara B community in Gombe metropolis on the night of Sunday, June 29, 2025, as an 18-year-old boy, Salim Aminu, drowned while attempting to retrieve his friend’s shoe that had been swept away by floodwaters during a heavy downpour.
Salim, who worked as a shop assistant at Habib Provision Store, had just closed for the day and was on his way home at approximately 8 p.m. when the fatal incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses said he entered a flooded culvert that led into a deep valley near the Kurba community despite being urged repeatedly by onlookers and his friend to stay back.
According to his grieving father, Aminu Muhammad, Salim appeared determined to retrieve the shoe. “He kept going after it even as people shouted at him to stop. Even the friend who lost the shoe pleaded with him to come back,” Muhammad told WikkiTimes.
“The current became overwhelming. At one point, he managed to hold onto a solar pole, but the force of the water eventually pulled him away. Those around could not help as the water carried him off with frightening speed.”
Salim’s lifeless body was later discovered in a valley in the Kurba area after being swept a significant distance by the raging flood. His father described him as a “vibrant and responsible young man,” deeply loved by his family and community.
“His death has left a deep void in our lives,” Muhammad added. “He was always willing to help others — and it was that selflessness that cost him his life. We have accepted his passing as the will of Allah.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Muhammad issued a somber appeal to other parents: “Please monitor your children closely, especially during the rainy season. The dangers of flooding are real and unpredictable.”
Close friends have also been left devastated by Salim’s sudden death. Salisu Bashir, one of his companions, recalled their last moments together earlier that same day.
“He asked me to make ablution so we could pray together. That’s the kind of person he was — spiritually devoted and caring,” Bashir said. “He was always supportive and cheerful. We will never forget him.”
The incident has reignited concerns about the risks posed by urban flooding, particularly to young people in vulnerable communities. Residents are urging local authorities to implement safety measures around high-risk drainage points and culverts to prevent future occurrences.
Salim’s death is a sobering reminder of how swiftly natural forces can turn a simple act of kindness into a fatal misstep — and how fragile life can be amid environmental hazards.