Four teenage girls have drowned in a village pond in Malkaderi village, in the Gagarawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Saturday.
The victims, identified as Saina’u Musa, 12; Fiddausi Ado, 11; Habiba Musa, 12; and Bahijja Musa, 13, were among five friends who went swimming in the pond.
An eight-year-old girl, Sahura Audu, who was part of the group, was rescued by local divers and was rushed to the hospital. She was later discharged after receiving medical care.
The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday. DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated, “Our team received a distress call, and we immediately coordinated a rescue operation. Unfortunately, by the time the victims were pulled from the pond, four had already passed away.”
The victims were taken to Gagarawa Primary Health Care Centre, where they were pronounced dead by medical personnel. DSP Adam expressed deep sympathy for the families of the deceased, emphasizing the need for vigilance, especially during the rainy season.
The Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, CP AT Abdullahi, also extended his condolences. “This is a deeply saddening event. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this devastating tragedy,” Abdullahi said. He further warned the public about the dangers of swimming in ponds and streams during the rainy season due to the elevated water levels.
He urged parents and guardians to be more attentive to their children’s activities, saying, “We strongly advise families to keep a close watch on their children, especially near water bodies, as the rains have significantly increased water volumes across the state.”
