Teenage boy drowns in pond in Jigawa State

A 15-year-old boy, Isah Muhammad, has drowned in a pond known as Sterling Pond along Disina Road in Dutse, Jigawa State. This incident has raised new worries about the dangers of water-filled ponds during the rainy season.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Jigawa State Command, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, confirmed the incident to PUNCH correspondent on Wednesday in Dutse.

Tijjani said, "The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at about 4:30pm, when the command received a distress call about the drowning of the teenager."

The victim lived in Bokoto Quarters in Dutse. He was reported to have drowned in the pond known as Sterling Pond along Disina Road.

After getting the distress call, NSCDC personnel from the Takur Site Division quickly went to the scene to help.

Tijjani stated, "The operatives pulled the victim from the pond and rushed him to the General Hospital, Dutse, for treatment.

"A doctor at the hospital checked the victim and confirmed that he had died before or upon arriving at the facility."

Once his death was confirmed, Tijjani said the body was given to his family for burial according to Islamic customs.

PUNCH found that this incident has renewed worries among residents near Sterling Pond and other water-filled areas in Jigawa State. This is especially true during the rainy season when ponds and natural water bodies fill up with water.

A local resident, Abdullahi Sani, shared his thoughts with our correspondent. He called the drowning troubling and said incidents with water-filled ponds become more alarming during the rainy season.

Sani explained, "The increased water in the pond during the rainy season could make it more dangerous, especially for children and young people who might get too close."

Another resident, Musa Nalayi, also voiced his concerns. He said, "The drowning should remind residents, especially parents and young people, about the risks of approaching deep ponds in the rainy season."

Nalayi added, "The ongoing danger from water bodies during the rainy period requires more public awareness and caution. Residents should keep children away from dangerous water-filled areas."

Meanwhile, the Jigawa State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, offered condolences to the victim's family over what he called an irreplaceable loss.

Ingawa, through the command, prayed for Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and to give his family strength during this difficult time. The command also urged residents to be more careful around ponds and other dangerous water bodies, especially during the rainy season.