Umeh was said to be picking pet bottles among other items around the canal on Monday afternoon before trailing it to a sinking spot.

The Director of Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in a statement, said he was rescued alive after his companion raised the alarm.

The statement read in part, “The distress call which was alerted at 3:20 pm had Ejigbo Fire Station and the Agency’s Rescue Crew mobilised to salvage the sinking boy from the canal.

“He was eventually handed over to the police from Ejigbo Division to reunite with the family.”

Adeseye urged parents to keep a close tab on their children and wards and provide much-needed guidance to preserve their safety.