Four girls drown as boat overturns in Jigawa

Four teenage girls have drowned after a boat carrying eight passengers overturned at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The accident occurred around 4pm on Wednesday, September 23, as the passengers travelled from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market.

The pond is located about three kilometres from Kwadige Village.

The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud.

According to the statement, the boat overturned while crossing the pond, with preliminary information suggesting that strong winds may have contributed to the accident.

The deceased were identified as Hasiya Mu’azu, 13; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13.

The four other passengers survived after farmers working around the pond rushed to the scene and rescued them.

Residents of Kwadige and Kuna communities also joined the rescue and recovery efforts.

The bodies of the four victims were later buried according to Islamic rites.

The NSCDC State Commandant, CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the Kwadige community.

He urged people who depend on waterways for transportation to exercise greater caution, particularly during strong winds and other adverse weather conditions.

Ingawa also advised boat operators and passengers to observe basic water-safety measures and avoid travelling when weather conditions pose a risk to their lives.

The NSCDC called on communities and waterway users to make safety a priority to prevent similar incidents.