At least six children have died after a canoe carrying 15 children capsized in Taura LGA of Jigawa state.
The Jigawa state police command confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Sunday, at about 8:15 pm, when the children were returning from a farm at Jejin Gunka to their village, Zangwan Maje.
Seven children were rescued while two were missing.
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The rescued children were identified as Rukayya Abdullahi, 9; Ibrahim Garba, 12; Fatima Yusuf, 10; Suwaiba Yahaya, 20; Rukayya Saleh, 18; Jawahira Samaila, 10; Sakina Sule, 11.
The deceased victims are Hare Abdullahi, 12; Halima Ma’azu, 12; Nasiba Yahya, 15; Saima Yusuf, 25; Amina Sule, 11; Saiya Abdullahi, 18.
The operator of the canoe reportedly fled the scene and remains at large.
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Dahiru Muhammad, the state commissioner of police, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and urged residents to prioritise safety when using water transport.
He warned against night-time travel and overloading of boats, and emphasised the importance of wearing life jackets.
