By Ikpommwosa Odigie
Three teenagers have been confirmed dead after drowning in a river in Jinkiri Village, Tirwun Ward of Bauchi Local Government Area. The victims: Habibu Mohammed, 16; Abubakar Mohammed, 16; and Zailani Sule, 14 all hailed from Durum Village in Bauchi State.
The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil. According to preliminary investigations, the boys had earlier been engaged in mining activities near the river before deciding to swim.
The tragic event occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Despite efforts to secure urgent medical help, the teenagers were pronounced dead before reaching the hospital.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and emphasized the importance of water safety, particularly during the rainy season when water levels rise and currents become stronger.
“The Command urges parents and guardians to educate their children on the dangers of unsupervised water activities,” the statement noted.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy has commenced. The remains of the deceased were examined at the Specialist Hospital in Bauchi before being released to their families for burial.
