Tragedy struck on Wednesday in Jinkiri Village, Tirwun, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, when three teenagers drowned in a river after mining activities at a close location, according to authorities.
The incident is the second this year in the Bauchi Local Government Area. Four workers of the Gubi water treatment plant also drowned inside the facility while carrying out routine maintenance in May, according to the government. The incident involved a father, his son and two other workers.
Police, while confirming Wednesday’s tragedy through its Bauchi spokesman, Ahmed Wakil, said that the three teenagers were identified as Habibu Mohammed, aged 16 years, Abubakar Mohammed, aged 16 years and Zailani Sule, aged 14 years, all boys and residents of Durum Village.
“The young teenagers, unfortunately, lost their lives after an accident while swimming in a nearby river,” he explained.
Wakil added that the incident took place at about 1:00 pm, saying that all immediate efforts for medical assistance failed as the victims were pronounced dead before reaching the hospital.
“Preliminary investigation indicated that the teenagers had been engaged in mining activities before deciding to swim in the river.
“In light of this heartbreaking situation, the Nigeria Police Force Bauchi State Command, under the able leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expresses its deepest condolences to the families affected and underscores the critical need for heightened safety awareness during water activities, especially during inclement weather.”
Wakil said that the police have commenced an investigation into the tragic circumstances and the bodies were released to the families for burial following an examination at the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi State.
