Three sisters have drowned after the canoe conveying them capsized at Tiga Dam in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State.

The victims, identified as Murjanatu, Atikatu and Bilkisu, popularly known as Amira, were members of the Yalwan Rugu-Rugu community.

The tragedy occurred at about 2pm on Saturday when the canoe reportedly overturned while the three girls were travelling on the dam.

The incident plunged the community into mourning, leaving the victims’ family and residents of Yalwan Rugu-Rugu devastated by the loss.

Chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government Area, Sa’adatu Salisu Soja, described the incident as a painful and devastating tragedy.

In a condolence message issued on Sunday, Soja commiserated with the bereaved families and the entire Yalwan Rugu-Rugu community, praying for strength and comfort for those affected.

She said, “We share the pain of the bereaved family and pray that Almighty Allah forgives the deceased, grants them Aljannatul Firdaus, and gives their loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss.”

The council chairperson also prayed for divine protection to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.

However, the Kano State Fire Service said it had not officially received a report of the incident as of Sunday.

The agency’s spokesperson, Saminu Abdullahi, said the Fire Service only became aware of the incident through media reports and the condolence message issued by the local government chairperson.

“We have not received the report officially. We only saw it in the news and in the condolence message released by the Chairperson of Tudun Wada,” Abdullahi said.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of communities that rely on canoes for transportation around Tiga Dam.

Previous boat accidents in Kano have claimed several lives, highlighting the need for improved water-safety measures, safer vessels and faster emergency response around the dam.