The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the death of a seven-month-old baby and four women in a canoe accident in Guri Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in Dutse on Wednesday.
“On Tuesday, at about 6pm., information at our disposal revealed that on the same date at about 4:30pm, four women and a child boarded a canoe from Nguru Yobe State to Adiyani village in Guri LGA of Jigawa State.
“Unfortunately, the canoe capsized close to their destination. The driver managed to escape alive, while the passengers drowned,” Shiisu said.
He said local divers in the area immediately swung into action to rescue the passengers, adding that they have recovered the corpses.
The PPRO said the corpses were taken to Adiyani health facility and were certified dead by a medical doctor.
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.
The PPRO said the victims were all residents of Adiyani village, adding that an investigation into the case had commenced.