Flood hits Zaria, mother, child, others swept away

By Omodele Adigun

At least three people have been swept away in a heavy rainfall in Zaria, Kaduna State.

It was gathered that one body was recovered but several others are still missing.

An eyewitness, Mustapha Badamasi (Dan Bakano of Tudun Jukun), said the recovered corpse was identified as Yusuf Surajo, popularly known as Abba, while those yet to be found include Fatima Sani Danmarke and her three-year-old child, and a motorcyclist.

He explained that the tragedy occurred along the main Gaskiya Road near a church in Tudun Jukun after flood waters submerged a large roadside drainage.

According to him, the motorcyclist was carrying the woman and her child when the bike struck the edge of the drainage.

He said the woman slipped while attempting to cross on foot, plunging into the raging waters with her baby. Both were instantly swept away, along with the motorcyclist.

“A good Samaritan who tried to rescue them also got carried away by the current,” Badamasi added.

Imam Mallam Musa Umar Al-Mishawi, who led the funeral prayer for Surajo at Kwarin Dangoma, confirmed that the deceased sustained a head injury . He was, thereafter, laid to rest in line with Islamic rites.