The Jigawa state police command has confirmed the death of six (6) children while two (2) other missing as Canoe carrying children from Zangwan Maje village of Taura local government area of the state capsized.
Seven other children were also rescued during the tragic incident.
SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the command public relations officer disclosed this in a statement sent to journalist in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital on Tuesday.
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According to Shiisu, the command received the report on the incident and immediately swung into action together with other agencies which led to the rescue of seven (7) children who include Rukayya Abdullahi, Ibrahim Garba, Fatima Yusuf, Suwaiba Yahaya, Rukayya Saleh, Jawahira Samaila and Sakina Sule.
It said unfortunately, search efforts have so far led to the recovery of two (2) corpses identified as Hare Abdullahi and Halima Ma’azu.
The statement went further to say additional four corpses were recovered, identified as Nasiba Yahya, Saima Yusuf, Amina Sule and Saiya Abdullahi.
“All the corpses were certified dead by a medical doctor on call,” said Shiisu.
“Efforts by the team of policemen, local divers, and other good Samaritans have been intensified to recover the two missing children,” he said.
The command launched an investigation which revealed that the canoe’s driver fled after the incident, adding that efforts are underway to locate, apprehend, and ultimately prosecute him in court as a deterrent to others.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Dahiru Muhammad expresses deep condolences to the affected families and the entire community of Zangwan Maje.
He also calls on residents in riverine areas to avoid night journeys and overload and to wear life jackets whenever they board a canoe.