THE Bauchi State Police Command has cautioned residents against seeking shelter under trees during heavy rainfall after a windstorm claimed the lives of two children and left two others injured in Bashe Village, near Burra in Ningi Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Nafiu Habib, disclosed the incident in a statement issued yesterday, explaining that the Burra Divisional Police Headquarters received a report on Monday that a heavy downpour accompanied by a powerful windstorm had struck the community.
According to the police, five children identified as Amina Maharazu, 8; Asiya Tasiu, 8; Samaila Tasiu, 10; Sulaiman M. Rabiu, 12; and Yusuf M. Salmanu, 8, had taken refuge under a tree to escape the rain when the tree was uprooted by the strong winds and fell on them.
Habib said police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and rushed the victims to the Primary Health Care Centre in Bashe for treatment.
Medical personnel later confirmed the deaths of Amina Maharazu and Asiya Tasiu. Samaila Tasiu escaped without injuries, while Sulaiman M. Rabiu and Yusuf M. Salmanu sustained injuries and are receiving treatment, with the police reporting that they are responding positively.
The spokesperson added that the incident scene had been documented and the bodies of the deceased were released to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
He also confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured children a speedy recovery.
He further urged parents and guardians to educate children about the dangers of taking shelter under trees during storms and heavy rainfall, stressing that such precautions could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
