Four teenage girls have died after a boat carrying eight passengers capsized at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred this week, about three kilometres from Kwadige Village, while the passengers were travelling to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market.
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud.
Preliminary information indicated that strong winds may have caused the boat to capsize.
The victims were identified as 13-year-old Hasiya Mu’azu, 13-year-old Hauwa Lawan, 12-year-old Fatima Lawan and 13-year-old Dawsiyya Lawan.
“Sadly, four passengers, all females, lost their lives in the incident, while the remaining four passengers were successfully rescued,” the NSCDC said.
Farmers working around the pond rescued the four survivors, while residents of Kwadige and Kuna communities joined the rescue and recovery efforts.
The bodies of the four victims were later buried according to Islamic rites.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Muhammad Ingawa, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Kwadige over the tragedy.
Ingawa urged communities that rely on boats for transportation to exercise caution, particularly during strong winds and adverse weather conditions.
He also called on boat operators and passengers to observe basic water-safety measures and avoid travelling when weather conditions could endanger lives.
