A 15-year-old boy, identified as Isah Muhammad, has tragically drowned in a pond popularly known as Sterling Pond along Disina Road in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, sparking renewed concerns over the dangers posed by unguarded water bodies during the rainy season. The incident was confirmed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command.
According to the NSCDC, the tragic incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, after the teenager, a resident of Bokoto Quarters, reportedly went swimming in the pond. Following a distress call, officers from the Takur Site Division were immediately deployed to the scene and successfully recovered the victim from the water before rushing him to the General Hospital, Dutse. Sadly, a medical doctor confirmed that he had died before or upon arrival at the hospital.
The NSCDC stated that the teenager’s remains were subsequently released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. Expressing sympathy over the incident, the Jigawa State Commandant of the NSCDC, Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, described the loss as heartbreaking and prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul while asking God to grant his family the strength to bear the tragedy.
The incident has reignited concerns among residents over the increasing risk posed by ponds, rivers and other water bodies during the rainy season. Community members noted that heavy rainfall often causes ponds to become deeper and more dangerous, particularly for children and teenagers who may attempt to swim without supervision. Several residents called for improved safety measures, including fencing hazardous ponds and intensifying public awareness campaigns on water safety.
The NSCDC urged parents and guardians to monitor their children closely and discourage them from swimming in unprotected water bodies. The agency also appealed to community leaders to support efforts aimed at preventing similar tragedies through public education and improved safety around dangerous locations, especially during the peak of the rainy season.
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