Gabari village in Garki Local Government Area of Jigawa State was thrown into mourning on Wednesday after the body of a 15-year-old boy, Sunusi Abubakar, was recovered from a local pond, highlighting growing concerns over child safety around open water in rural communities.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa Command, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Dutse.
He said Sunusi’s body was found around 9:00 a.m. in a pond known locally as Mahayin gidan Toro, located about 1.5 kilometres north of the village.
“His shoes and trousers were first discovered abandoned on the riverbank on the evening of September 30. This raised alarm and prompted villagers to launch a search,” Tijjani explained.
According to the boy’s father, Abubakar Gabari, Sunusi had gone swimming in the pond at about 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday but never returned home. His body was later recovered with no signs of injury and handed over to the family for burial in line with Islamic rites.
The NSCDC described the tragedy as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by unfenced, unsupervised ponds and rivers, particularly during the rainy season when water levels are dangerously high.
“We are urging parents, guardians, and community leaders to prioritise children’s safety and discourage them from swimming in unsafe areas,” Tijjani said.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Muhammad Ingawa, also appealed to communities to partner with security agencies to identify and secure hazardous water bodies.
“Our goal is to create a safer environment for all citizens. We appeal to residents to remain vigilant, especially during this season when drowning incidents are common,” he said.
This latest case adds to a string of tragic drownings in Jigawa. Just last month, four teenage girls died in a pond in Malkaderi village, Gagarawa LGA, while another three young girls drowned in Buji LGA.
Community leaders warn that the state needs urgent interventions.
“These are not isolated incidents,” said resident Malam Isa Gambo. “We need a state-wide safety campaign to educate families and provide secure recreational spaces for children.”
As Gabari village buries another young life cut short, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger public awareness and preventive measures to curb recurring drownings across Jigawa State.
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