Four children d!e as boat capsizes in Jigawa

Four female passengers have d!ed after a boat conveying eight people capsized at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The incident occurred at about 4:00pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the pond, located approximately three kilometres from Kwadige Village.

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

According to the statement, the boat was conveying eight passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market when it capsized while crossing the pond.

Daily Trust gathered that strong winds at the time of the incident may have contributed to the accident.

Four passengers lost their lives, while the remaining four were rescued.

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

The NSCDC said the bodies of the four victims had been buried according to Islamic rites.

The four survivors were reportedly rescued by farmers working around the pond when the incident occurred.

Residents of Kwadige and Kuna communities also joined the rescue and recovery efforts, assisting those affected by the tragedy.

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

He urged residents who depend on waterways for transportation to exercise maximum caution, particularly during periods of strong winds and adverse weather conditions.

The Commandant also advised boat operators and passengers to observe basic water-safety measures and avoid travelling when weather conditions could endanger lives.

The NSCDC urged communities and boat users to prioritise safety to prevent similar tragedies on the state’s waterways.