After a windstorm killed two children and injured two more in Bashe Village, on the outskirts of Burra in the state’s Ningi Local Government Area, the Bauchi State Police Command has cautioned locals—especially parents and guardians—not to seek cover under trees during periods of heavy rain.
Superintendent of Police Nafiu Habib, the command’s spokesperson, revealed this in a statement released on Tuesday.
Habib revealed that the officer-in-charge of the Bashe Police Outstation reported to the Burra Divisional Police Headquarters on Monday that the village had experienced a heavy windstorm and downpour.
He said that five youngsters from Bashe Village, including eight-year-old Amina Maharazu, eight-year-old Asiya Tasiu, ten-year-old Samaila Tasiu, twelve-year-old Sulaiman M. Rabiu, and eight-year-old Yusuf M. Salmanu, had sought cover from the rain under a tree.
He observed that the youngsters were hit by the tree after it was uprooted by the windstorm.
“Police were immediately mobilized to the scene upon receiving the report and rushed the victims to the Primary Health Care Center, Bashe, for medical attention,” Habib said.
A medical professional declared Amina Maharazu and Asiya Tasiu, two of the victims, dead. While Yusuf M. Salmanu and Sulaiman M. Rabiu are presently receiving treatment and reacting favorably, Samaila Tasiu managed to escape unharmed.
The bodies of the deceased were given to their families for burial in compliance with Islamic customs, he continued, adding that the scene had been recorded.
He claims that the issue is still being looked into.
According to Habib, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police, expressed sympathy to the grieving family and offered prayers for the injured children’s quick recovery.
In order to avert such tragedies, he also asked parents and guardians to teach kids about the risks of hiding under trees during storms and periods of intense rain.
