Four teenage female passengers have died after a boat carrying eight people capsized at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Wednesday. The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani, said the incident occurred at about 4pm at the pond, about three kilometres from Kwadige Village.
He said the boat was carrying the passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market when it capsized while crossing the pond. “Preliminary information indicates that the incident may have been caused by strong winds at the time of the occurrence,” Tijjani said.
Four passengers, all female, died, while four others were rescued by farmers working around the pond. Residents of Kwadige and Kuna villages also joined the rescue and recovery efforts. The deceased were identified as Hasiya Mu’azu, 13; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13.
Tijjani said the bodies of the four victims have been buried according to Islamic rites.