It was reported that seven members of the National Youth Service Corps drowned in a river southeast of Taraba State, with two others feared dead, according to police reports.. Pictured is the moment three of the corps members at the riverside picnic before the mishap.

The corps members were on a swimming expedition in River Mayo-Selbe, a major tributary of the Benue River, when a water surge from a nearby mountain collapsed on them and swept them into the massive river.

The incident occurred in Gashaka Local Government Area, where all the corps members affected were posted to serve.

It was reported that the corps members were initially blown away by the heavy gush, but five of them were rescued before it was too late.

Seven bodies, comprising two females and five males, were recovered between Saturday and Sunday. Search and rescue efforts are still underway for the remaining two as at Monday morning, but the police feared they were already dead.