The Kwara State Fire Service has recovered the bodies of two young men who drowned in a quarry lake in the Opete area of Asa Local Government Area on Monday evening.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Hassan Adekunle, disclosed the incident in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday.

According to Adekunle, firefighters were alerted at about 5:08 p.m., prompting a rapid deployment to the scene.

“The incident involved two young men who reportedly drowned while at the quarry site. Upon arrival, firefighters conducted a recovery operation and successfully retrieved the bodies of the victims,” Hassan said.

The deceased were identified as Fatai Abdulraman, 26, and Muhammed Awal, 27.

The bodies were handed over to Mallam Abdulfatahi for further arrangements.

The PRO reaffirmed the service’s commitment to prompt emergency response across the state.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and warned residents to avoid unsafe water bodies such as quarry lakes.

“These quarry lakes are often deeper than they appear and can be extremely dangerous due to their unstable nature. Members of the public must prioritise safety at all times and avoid unnecessary risks,” he said.

Muhammed also urged communities to restrict access to hazardous sites and report emergencies immediately.

This incident highlights growing concerns over repeated drowning cases in open water bodies across the state, particularly at unregulated quarry sites and riverbanks.

In February, the Kwara State Fire Service recovered the body of an unidentified man from a river along the Osin/Laduba axis in Ilorin West Local Government Area, underlining the need for increased public safety awareness and preventive measures. (The PUNCH)