A 15-year-old boy, identified as Isah Muhammad, has lost his life after drowning in a pond known as Sterling Pond along Disina Road in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
The Punch reported that the incident has renewed concerns over the dangers of open water bodies during the rainy season, when rising water levels often increase the risk of drowning.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Jigawa State, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, confirmed the incident to journalists on Wednesday.
According to Tijjani, the tragedy occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday after the command received an emergency report that the teenager had drowned in the pond.
He explained that NSCDC personnel attached to the Takur Site Division recovered the victim from the water and immediately rushed him to the General Hospital in Dutse for medical attention.
“On arrival at the hospital, a medical doctor examined the victim and confirmed that he was brought in dead,” Tijjani said.
The NSCDC spokesman added that the deceased, who lived in Bokoto Quarters, Dutse, was later released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for greater vigilance around ponds and other water bodies, particularly during the rainy season.
A resident, Abdullahi Sani, described the incident as disturbing, warning that ponds become significantly more hazardous during the rainy season.
“The increased volume of water makes these ponds more dangerous, especially for children and young people who may unknowingly venture close to them,” he said.
Another resident, Musa Nalayi, urged parents and guardians to keep children away from deep ponds and other unsafe water bodies, saying the latest tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for communities.
He also stressed the need for continuous public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing avoidable drowning incidents.
Reacting to the development, the NSCDC State Commandant, Commandant Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, expressed sympathy to the bereaved family, describing the teenager’s death as an irreparable loss.
He prayed for Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and advised residents to be more cautious around ponds, rivers and other potentially dangerous water bodies, especially during the rainy season.
The latest drowning incident adds to growing concerns over accidental deaths linked to water bodies during the peak of the rainy season, with safety advocates urging stronger public awareness, closer parental supervision and improved safety measures around unfenced ponds and similar hazards.
