A five-month-old infant, two children, and one adult died in a boat accident on Monday along Maiduguri waterway in Borno State.
According to a statement issued by Nahum Daso, the state police public relations officer, the accident occurred at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Daso reported that the boat, which was carrying numerous passengers, was submerged by flooding, killing four people.
He named the victims as Mallum Shettima, Maimuna Akura, Umira Bulama, and Yagana Kawu.
The PPRO said, “A report was received from a Good Samaritan at the Dikwa Divisional Police Headquarters regarding a distressing canoe accident that occurred on Monday, September 23, 2024, at about 1530 HRS in the Bakassi community between Mafa and Dikwa, along Maiduguri Road, Borno State.
“The incident involved a boat carrying passengers that was submerged in floodwaters, leading to the unfortunate loss of four female lives.
“The deceased victims, all from Bulabulin Ward, Dikwa, have been identified as Ya Mallum Shettima, an adult female from Marte LGA; Maimuna Akura, 10 years old; Umira Alhaji Bulama, six years old; and Yagana Bulama Kawu, five months old.”
He stated that after receiving the event report, police officers went to the area, rescued the victims, and carried them to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead by a doctor.
“The victims were promptly evacuated to the Dikwa General Hospital, where their deaths were confirmed by a medical doctor. Subsequently, the corpses were released to their respective families for burial under Islamic rites.”
In a subsequent update, the PPRO reminded boat operators in the state that they must follow safety measures, including providing passengers with safety buoys and life jackets.
He emphasised the need to ensure safety as the state continues to recover from recent flooding that lost several lives.
“It is mandatory for all canoe operators to ensure the availability of safety buoys and life jackets for all passengers.
“The command’s utmost priority is the safety and security of all the residents of Borno State, especially during this challenging period. The recent incidences of flooding have already led to the loss of lives, and it is imperative to avoid further casualties due to negligence,” Daso concluded.
