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A dad arrested on suspicion of murder for allegedly throwing his 10-month-old baby boy into a river has been named and pictured.

Witnesses said the 22-year-old suspect, named locally as Zak Bennett Eko, was arrested after the tot was allegedly thrown into the River Irwell.

The baby, identified by family as Zakari (Zak), who was named after his father, was just weeks away from turning one when he was allegedly murdered in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.

Zakari's heartbroken mum and Bennett Eko's partner, Emma Blood, told how she cuddled and kissed her son in her final moments with him in hospital, saying: "I wish I was dead instead."

She claims she last saw Bennett Eko when he had taken their son out to buy milk before the incident.

Have you been affected by the incident? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

(Image: Facebook)

The 22-year-old mum described her little boy as "my world, my heart, my soul" on her Facebook profile, where she told how she spent "hours" with him following his tragic death on Wednesday.

She said she did not know Zak was dead until she arrived at A&E less than three hours after the alleged murder.

Heartbroken Ms Blood wrote on Facebook: "I didn’t know anything that had happened until 7pm tonight [Wednesday]."

(Image: Facebook)

She added: "I love my little boy and did everything for him.

"I didn’t know my child was dead until I got to A & E.

"We sat with him for hours, we held him, we kissed him."

(Image: Facebook)

Ms Blood hit out at people who have been speculating over her baby's death and trolls who have been posting hurtful comments online.

She wrote: "I am alive, although I wish I was dead instead.

"Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more."

(Image: Facebook)

The baby boy would have turned a year old on October 16, according to his mum's Facebook page.

Addy Eko, the father of Bennett Eko and the grandfather of baby Zak, paid tribute to the child, posting a photo of him standing while holding someone's hands.

Mr Eko wrote: "Good blees little man still got your dummy here il bring it soon say hi to your sister and nana so sorry which it me not you.

(Image: Facebook)

"So unfair livening now and always grandad sorry."

Flowers and other tributes - including stuffed animals, candles, cards and a chocolate orange - were placed on a bridge over the river as police remained at the scene on Thursday.

Zak's grandfather, Andy Blood, visited the scene on the bridge and left a stuffed animal, which was wearing a t-shirt reading "Cheeky monkey", and a card reading: "To my beautiful grandson. We love you so much. RIP."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Emergency services - including the police helicopter - immediately attended and the baby boy was retrieved from the water and taken to hospital.

(Image: John Gladwin/Daily Mirror)

"The boy, who is believed to be approximately 11-months-old, sadly died a short time later despite the best efforts of paramedics and specialist doctors.

"A Home Office Post Mortem will take place tomorrow (Friday).

"A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning."

(Image: John Gladwin/Daily Mirror)

Police said there were a "significant number of witnesses" and they have asked people to send in photos or video clips that could assist the investigation.

The force said the baby had been in the area for hours before the incident.

Police asked social media users to stop speculating about the incident.

(Image: Facebook)

Detective Inspector Wes Knights said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident which has taken the life of a baby boy, who we believe is only around 11-months-old.

"His family have understandably been left devastated by what has happened and we have specially trained officers providing them with support at this difficult time.

“We currently have a suspect in custody, who will be questioned by detectives later today, however our investigation does not stop there and we need anybody with information to come forward and help us get answers for this little boy’s loved ones.

(Image: Phil Taylor /SWNS.COM)

“We know that there were a significant number of witnesses to what happened and I want to urge those people to come forward and provide us with as much detail as they can.

"It’s also possible that other people may have information about the circumstances leading up to the incident, as we know the baby had been in the area for a number of hours beforehand."

He added: “We appreciate that the incident has caused a lot of concern locally, which is understandable, but I would ask that people please refrain from speculating on social media about the circumstances and who may or may not have been involved, as this is still a live criminal investigation.

“I would also like to say thank you to all those people who tried their best to help retrieve the baby from the river and to all those who have since provided support to the investigation by providing information.”