The incident, which occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, has sparked outrage among residents, who claim the suspect repeatedly ignored warnings to cover the dangerous soakaway, despite the obvious risk it posed to children in the compound.

Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested a man, Philip Jallo, in connection with the tragic death of a three-year-old boy who drowned in an uncovered septic tank in Durumi 2, Abuja.

The incident, which occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, has sparked outrage among residents, who claim the suspect repeatedly ignored warnings to cover the dangerous soakaway, despite the obvious risk it posed to children in the compound.

According to the FCT Police Command, preliminary investigations revealed that the septic tank, filled with human waste, had been left exposed for an extended period. Neighbours reportedly made several appeals to Jallo, the property owner, to cover the pit, but he allegedly refused to act.

The child, whose name was not immediately released, was reportedly playing within the residential compound when he accidentally slipped and fell into the open soakaway. He was later pulled out and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigation.

“The police operatives of Durumi Divisional Headquarters have arrested one Philip Jallo, male, of Durumi 2, Abuja, following a heart-wrenching tragedy which occurred on July 16, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., where a 3-year-old boy fell and drowned in an uncovered septic tank with faeces in a residential compound, allegedly left exposed by the negligent suspect despite repeated appeals by surrounding neighbours to cover it,” the statement read.

The FCT Commissioner of Police expressed deep sadness over the incident and commiserated with the bereaved family. He also issued a strong warning to residents to take environmental hazards seriously.

“While suspect is currently in custody, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate incident and commiserates with the bereaved family,” Adeh added.

“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.”

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