Four teenage girls have died after a boat carrying eight passengers capsized at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The accident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as the passengers travelled from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market.
Dudduru Pond is located about three kilometres from Kwadige Village.
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud.
According to the Corps, preliminary information indicated that strong winds may have caused the boat to overturn.
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Four Passengers Rescued
The victims were identified as 13-year-old Hasiya Mu’azu, 13-year-old Hauwa Lawan, 12-year-old Fatima Lawan and 13-year-old Dawsiyya Lawan.
The NSCDC said four other passengers survived the accident and were rescued.
Farmers working around the pond reportedly responded after the boat capsized and assisted in rescuing the survivors. Residents of Kwadige and the nearby Kuna community also joined the rescue and recovery efforts.
The bodies of the four girls were subsequently recovered and buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
NSCDC Warns Against Unsafe Water Travel
The NSCDC State Commandant, CC Muhammad Ingawa, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the Kwadige community.
CC Muhammad Ingawa urged boat operators and passengers to exercise greater caution when travelling on waterways, particularly during strong winds and other unfavourable weather conditions.
He advised those who depend on waterways for transportation to observe basic safety measures and avoid travelling when weather or water conditions could endanger passengers.
The accident has renewed attention on the risks faced by residents of communities who rely on waterways to travel between villages and markets.
For the affected families and the Kwadige community, the journey to the market has ended in the loss of four young lives.
