NSCDC Expresses Concern Over Rising Drowning Cases In Jigawa

By Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse

The Jigawa state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has expressed concerns over the rising cases of drowning of people in the state occasioned by overflowing of rivers and streams.

It has, therefore, cautioned residents to stay away from surface waters and ponds as they are now filled to the brim and posed imminent threats to lives

The Command’s spokesman, Adamu Shehu, gave the advice when the agency handled over two bodies of victims of water mishaps which were recovered from two separate locations in Gwaram and Kaugama local government areas of the state.

The latest incidents, according to Shehu, took place between last week Saturday and Monday, this week respectfully. The Kaugama incident, involving a 15-year-old boy, Ana’s Malam Hamza, who drowned, on Saturday, while attempting to take his bath at a local pond in Garin Badde, Marke Ward in the area.

He added “When he did not return at the expected, time, his parents decided to look for him at the farm, but couldn’t find him. Later, his shoes and clothes were sighted by the pond side which gave them the feeling that he must have been there.

“Therefore a search and rescue mission was launched with assistance from the locals which eventually led to the discovery of his dead body from the pond.

“Again, the body of one Zahraddeen Yusuf 30, of Lafia Village, Madabe Ward, Buji LGA was recovered on Monday, 5th of September, 2022 at a local pond called Ruwan Kidibo after he tried to cross the water along with his brothers to reach his farm on Saturday, thereby drowning.

“The information about the incident reached NSCDC Divisional Office on Monday, where personnel moved to the scene and mobilized group of local divers and the body was finally retrieved after being in the water for two days.

“The two bodies were handed over to their respective families and have since been committed to mother earth in accordance with Islamic inductions.

“With the prevalence of drowning incidents, the Command warned the general public to stay away from surface waters and ponds as they are now filled to the brim and posed imminent threats to lives.”

Optimum Times recalls that an 18- year-old boy, Adamu Musa had on September 5 lost his life in a local pond in an effort to rescue his cow, which fell into the pond.

Reports from the state indicated that Musa of Ungwar Magina community in Buji local government himself fell into a pond while grazing around the area. But the cow was later rescued alive.

Similarly, there was a reported incident of drowning involving three girls between 8 and 10 years at a pond in Kaugama local government council of the state on September 6, when the three girls went to a nearby pond about 300 metres away from the village to wash their clothes.