A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Dudduru Pond in the Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Nigeria. A boat carrying eight passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market capsized while crossing the pond, resulting in the deaths of four teenage girls. The incident happened at approximately 1600 hours, about three kilometres from Kwadige Village.
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary information suggests strong winds at the time of the occurrence may have caused the boat to capsize. The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Jigawa State Command, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani, provided details of the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
The four deceased victims were identified as Hasiya Mu'azu, 13; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13. All were females and were buried according to Islamic rites after the incident. The NSCDC reported that four other passengers were rescued by farmers working around the pond at the time of the incident.
The rescue and recovery efforts were supported by residents of Kwadige and Kuna villages, who worked together to assist those affected by the incident. The State Commandant, CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, commiserated with the families of the deceased and the entire Kwadige community over the tragic loss of their loved ones.
The NSCDC Commandant urged members of the public who rely on boats for transportation to exercise maximum caution on waterways. He advised boat operators and passengers to strictly adhere to basic water safety measures and avoid travelling under dangerous conditions, such as during strong winds and adverse weather.
The Jigawa NSCDC spokesperson stated that the Corps had continued to sensitise communities on safety measures while navigating waterways. The incident highlights the importance of adhering to safety guidelines when using boats for transportation, especially in areas prone to accidents.
The NSCDC and other stakeholders are expected to intensify efforts to educate boat operators and passengers on the importance of water safety, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of water transportation in Jigawa State and the need for improved safety measures.
Key points
- Four teenage girls died in a boat accident at Dudduru Pond in Jigawa State, Nigeria.
- The incident occurred due to strong winds, and four other passengers were rescued.
- The NSCDC has urged boat operators and passengers to exercise caution and adhere to basic water safety measures.
