Tragedy struck Gabari village in Garki Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Wednesday as the lifeless body of a 15-year-old boy, Sunusi Abubakar, was recovered from a local pond. The incident has once again raised urgent concerns about child safety around open water bodies in rural communities.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, said the body was discovered around 9:00 a.m. in a pond known locally as Mahayin Gidan Toro, located approximately 1.5 kilometers north of the village.
“His shoes and trousers were first found abandoned on the riverbank on the evening of September 30,” Tijjani said in a statement issued Thursday in Dutse. “This raised immediate concern and prompted villagers to begin a search.”
According to the boy’s father, Abubakar Gabari, Sunusi had gone to swim in the pond around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday but failed to return home. The community and local authorities launched a search shortly thereafter.
“No signs of injury were found on the body, and it has since been handed over to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites,” Tijjani added.
The NSCDC has used the incident to renew public awareness about the dangers of swimming in natural, unfenced water bodies—especially during the rainy season when water levels rise dangerously.
“This is a painful loss,” said Tijjani. “We urge parents, guardians, and community leaders to prioritize the safety of children and discourage them from swimming in unsafe, unsupervised areas.”
Also commenting on the incident, NSCDC State Commandant Muhammad Ingawa called on communities to collaborate with security agencies in reporting and securing hazardous areas.
“Our goal is to create a safer environment for all Jigawa citizens,” Ingawa said. “We appeal to all residents to remain vigilant, particularly during this season when such accidents are more likely to occur.”
Drowning incidents remain a recurring concern in Jigawa and other northern states, particularly in rural areas where ponds, rivers, and irrigation channels often serve as informal swimming locations for children. Most of these water bodies lack fencing or supervision.
Just last month, in September 2024, four teenage girls drowned in a pond in Malkaderi village, Gagarawa LGA. In another incident, three girls aged between 12 and 13 lost their lives in Buji LGA under similar circumstances.
“These are not isolated incidents. We need a state-wide safety campaign to educate families and provide secure recreational spaces for children,” said a local resident, Isa Gambo.
As the state mourns another young life lost, authorities have reiterated their commitment to working closely with communities to prevent further tragedies.
