Four teenage girls tragically drowned in a pond in Malkaderi village, located 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 part of a group of five friends who had gone swimming in the pond.
An eight-year-old girl, Sahura Audu, who was also part of the group, was rescued by local divers and taken to the hospital, where she received medical treatment and was later discharged.
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.”