At least four people, including three teenagers and a 12-year-old, have died in a boat accident in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, Nigeria. The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 4:00 pm at Dudduru Pond, located about three kilometres from Kwadige Village in the Dutse Local Government Area. Four other passengers were successfully rescued from the water.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the details of the tragedy through its spokesperson, ASC Badarudeen Ahmad Tijani, who addressed the media on Thursday. According to the NSCDC, the vessel was transporting eight passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market when it capsized while crossing the pond. Preliminary information suggests that strong winds at the time of the incident may have caused the boat to overturn.
All four fatalities were female. The deceased have been identified as Hasiya Mu’azu, 23; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13. The four survivors were pulled from the water by farmers who were working in the vicinity of the pond when the accident took place.
“Sadly, four passengers, all females, lost their lives in the incident, while the remaining four passengers were successfully rescued,” said ASC Badarudeen Ahmad Tijani.
Local residents from Kwadige and Kuna Villages also joined the rescue and recovery efforts, working together to assist those affected by the mishap. In response to the tragedy, Jigawa State NSCDC Commandant Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa commiserated with the families of the deceased and the broader Kwadige community over the loss of their loved ones.
Authorities have urged the public, particularly in communities that rely on boats for transportation, to exercise extreme caution when travelling on waterways. The NSCDC advised boat operators and passengers to strictly adhere to basic water safety measures and to avoid travelling during periods of strong winds or adverse weather conditions that may endanger lives.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
