A boat accident killed a five-month-old infant, two children, and one adult in Maiduguri Road, Borno State, in an incident that took place on Monday in the state.
Confirming the accident in a statement on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, disclosed that the incident took place on Tuesday and it happened at about 4 pm.
The PPRO noted that the boat had capsized by the heavy flood water, which submerged the boat and led to the death of the four persons. According to ne, the victims were Mallum Shettima, Maimuna Akura, Umira Bulama, and Yagana Kawu.
He explained that the command received the report of the incident by a Good Samaritan at the Dikwa Divisional Police Headquarters; the resident told the place that the accident happened in the area with the victims needing help. The PPRO noted that the men were deployed to the community named Bakassi between Mafa and Dikwa, along Maiduguri Road, Borno State at about 4 pm on September 23,
He explained that the incident, which involved a canoe carrying passengers that was submerged in floodwaters, led to the unfortunate loss of four female lives.
The police statement noted that all the victims of the incident hail from Bulabulin Ward, Dikwa, he noted that they was an adult female from Marte LGA, Maimuna Akura, ten years old, Umira Alhaji Bulama, six years old, and Yagana Bulama Kawu, five months old.
After the police visited the scene of the incident, it was noted that the victims were rescued from the water and taken to the Diwali General Hospital, which was close to the incident area. After examination by the medical personnel, they were all confirmed dead. The police also noted that they were buried according to the Islamic tradition of burial.
The statement further advised the operators of boat in the state to take caution and abide by the sftey precutions establsijed y the authorities in the country, he specially nited that the operators should ensure passenger wear their live jackets before using the water ways.
He explained that the observance of the safety precautions was important as the recovery process from the flood disaster, which affected the state, was still ongoing. He noted that the flood had claimed several lives, which the state was still mourning.
The PPRO disclosed that the command’s utmost priority is the safety and security of all the residents of Borno State, especially during this challenging period. The recent incidences of flooding have already led to the loss of lives, and it is imperative to avoid further casualties due to negligence.
