By standers watch as the victims were evacuated. Photo: Abdulrazak Kaura/Radio Nigeria
Seven children have died in a Canoe accident while trying to get water in Gusau, Zamfara state capital.
In a statement by the Acting Public Relations Officer, PPRO of Zamfara State Police Command ASP Yazid Abubakar, the incident occurred on May 7.
The Police say the children died in the boat mishap while they were returning from where they went to get water for domestic use.
A traditional title holder, Idi Yusuf Sarkin Ruwa who reported the incident to the police said the victims were inhabitants of Tullukawa area of Gusau metropolitan who were suffering for scarcity of water and usually cross the river to get the drinking water and consequently loss their lives in the process, the police command said.
ASP Yazid said a police rescue team rushed the victims to the police clinic but they were confirmed dead.
A father Mohammed Yusuf, who spoke with Radio Nigeria confirmed that he lost two of his children in the tragedy; Zainab Mohammed (daughter) 17 years old, whose wedding dowry was recently paid and a son Aliyu Mohammed, 12 years old.
“The unfortunate incident occurred due to the water scarcity”, Yusuf lamented.
He therefore appealed to the State government to as a matter of urgency and responsibility to address the problem of water shortage in Gusau metropolis to prevent the recurrence of further tragedy.
Reporting by Abdulrazak Kaura; Editing by Muzha Kucha