The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of at least four teenagers who drowned after swimming in a pond.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday at Malkaderi village, Gagarawa Local Government Area, involved five female teenagers with an age range between 11 and 13 years old.
A statement issued by the police spokesman, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, and made available to newsmen on Sunday names the victims as Saina’u Musa, Fiddausi Ado, Habiba Musa, and Bahijja Musa.
The statement noted that while the only survivor was recused, other victims were rushed to Gagarawa Primary Healthcare Center, where they were confirmed dead.
Grassroots Parrot had reported how three teenage girls were confirmed drown in a pond in Buji Local Government Area of the state last month on 11th August, 2024.
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Confirming the latest incident, Adam said the remains of the victims have been handed over to their relatives for burial.
The statement quoted AT Abdullahi psc, the Commissioner of Police in the state, as cautioning parents and guardians to keep a close eye on their children’s whereabouts.
The commissioner also implored the parents to warn their wards against swimming in any body of water, especially during the rainy season when the volume of most ponds, rivers, and streams is higher.
The statement reads: “In a tragic and devastating incident reported to the Command on September 28, 2024, at about 1530hrs, five (5) teenagers, all female, went to swim in a pond at Malkaderi village, Gagarawa LGA, on the same date at about 1100hrs.
But unfortunately, four (4) of them namely; 1. Saina’u Musa ‘f’ age 12yrs 2. Fiddausi Ado ‘f’ age 11yrs 3. Habiba Musa ‘f’ age 12yrs 4. Bahijja Musa ‘f’ age 13yrs, were found drowned and floating in the pond, while Sahura Audu ‘f’ age 8yrs was still struggling.
Following receipt of the deplorable report, a team of police officers and local divers rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation.
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The victims were all evacuated from the pond and ferried them to Gagarawa Primary Health Care.
Four victims were confirmed dead by the medical doctor on call, while Sahura was resuscitated, treated and discharged.
Corpses were later released to the relatives for burial.
The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP AT Abdullahi psc, extends his condolences to the deceased’s family and relatives and prays for their eternal peace.
He therefore, cautioned parents and guardians to keep a close eye on their children’s whereabouts and warned them not to swim in any body of water, especially during the rainy season when the volume of most ponds, rivers, and streams are higher.”