A devastating canoe accident has claimed the lives of a woman and three children in Borno State, as floodwaters continue to wreak havoc in the region.
According to Vanguard, the incident occurred on September 23, 2024, between Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas, following the floods that have ravaged parts of Maiduguri and moved into neighboring communities.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the accident in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Daso.
According to the statement, a report was made by a Good Samaritan at the Dikwa Divisional Police headquarters about the incident, which happened at around 3:30 PM in the Bakassi community.
The victims, all female, were passengers on a canoe that submerged in the floodwaters. The deceased have been identified as Ya Mallum Shettima, an adult woman from Marte Local Government Area, along with three children: Maimuna Akura, 10 years old; Umira Alhaji Bulama, 6 years old; and Yagana Bulama Kawu, a 5-month-old infant, all from Bulabulin Ward, Dikwa.
“The victims were immediately taken to Dikwa General Hospital, where a medical doctor confirmed their deaths. Their bodies have since been released to their families for burial according to Islamic customs,” DSP Daso said.
The Police Command expressed its deep condolences to the bereaved families and urged residents in flood-affected areas to exercise caution.
The statement also provided emergency contact numbers for the public to report any distress situations.
Commissioner of Police CP ML Yusufu, while extending his sympathies, emphasized the importance of safety during the ongoing floods.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident and urge everyone in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions,” he said.
This tragedy comes just two days after the Borno State Police issued a warning regarding the dangers posed by the floods, advising those traveling along affected roads to be extremely careful.
