The police command in Jigawa has confirmed the death of a seven-month-old baby and four women in a canoe mishap in the Guri local government area.

DSP Lawan Shiisu, the spokesman for the command, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

“On Tuesday, at about 6:00 p.m., information at our disposal revealed that on the same date at about 4:30 p.m., four women and a child boarded a canoe from Nguru Yobe State to Adiyani village in Guri LGA of Jigawa state,” said Mr Shiisu. “Unfortunately, the canoe capsized close to their destination. The driver managed to escape alive, while the passenger drowned.”

He mentioned that local divers in the area immediately swung into action to rescue the passengers, where they recovered the corpses.

The police spokesman also said the corpses were taken to Adiyani health facility and were certified dead by a medical doctor.

Mr Shiisu gave the names of the deceased as Oneyaniwura Kasagama, 50, Lafiya Bulama, 40, Badejaka Kasagama, 40, Gimto Kasagama, 40 and Mai Madu Bulama, the seven-month old baby.

According to him, the victims were all residents of Adiyani village, adding that an investigation into the case had commenced. 

(NAN)