The Nigeria Security and Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa says two teenage girls have drowned in separate incidents in Dutse and Kafin Hausa local government areas.

On Tuesday, the NSCDC spokesperson in Jigawa, Adamu Shehu, said the deceased, Maimuna Hassan, 3, and Rabi Balarabe, 12, lost their lives on Sunday and Monday.

He explained that the three-year-old fell into a neighbourhood drain pit in Madobi village on Monday.

“The horrible incident occurred when the young girl left home around 5:00 p.m. to join her siblings to play outside but did not return along with them. A search was launched within the neighbourhood for her whereabouts but yielded no results until around 8:30 p.m. when a friend of her brother spotted her floating gown inside a water drain pit a few metres from her home,” stated Mr Shehu.

The NSCDC official added, “She was then brought out from the water and rushed to Dutse General Hospital but was pronounced dead by a medical practitioner.”

Her remains have been released to her parents for burial.

According to him, the 12-year-old girl drowned in a river in Ashuran Makera village on Sunday.

“The said Rabi Balarabe went to wash her clothes with friends and, upon completion, decided to take a bath which unfortunately resulted in her death. She was taken to Kafin Hausa General Hospital but was confirmed dead and later released to her parents for burial,” added Mr Shehu.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased, Mr Shehu advised drain pits should be covered to protect children and advised parents to caution their children against swimming in rivers and ponds. 

(NAN)