The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Lawan Shiisu, in a statement on Friday, said the deceased were between ages 10 and 12, adding that three persons were rescued.

The death of seven female children in Jigawa has been confirmed by the Jigawa State Police Command.

The girls died after a boat conveying 10 passengers capsized on River Gasanya, in the Auyo Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Lawan Shiisu, in a statement on Friday, said the deceased were between ages 10 and 12, adding that three persons were rescued.

He explained that the girls were returning from Maolud celebration in Gafasa village in the Kafinhausa Local Government Area and decided to paddle the boat parked at the river bank, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

He said, “On November 19, about 12.30am, information was received from the village head of Gamfai that in the early hours of Friday around 12.15am, a boat capsized with girls numbering about 10. Three of them were rescued while seven others aged between 10 and 12 reportedly died.

“Subjects reportedly came from Gafasa village via Kafinausa LGA to Gasanya village in Auyo LGA for Maolud celebration. In a haste to reach home considering the time, they deliberately decided to drive a boat parked at river Gasanya themselves in the absence of a craftsman.”