‘How two Kano teenagers drowned while escaping phone snatchers’

By Bosede Olufunmi

Two teenagers identified as Sadiq Isyaku and Auwal Isyaku downed on Monday after falling into an open water while escaping from hoodlums attempting to snatch their phones at Ring Road, Kureken Sani in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

This was announced in a statement by the Kano State Fire Service on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the tragic death of deceased, both aged 18 years was uncovered following a distress call from one Muhammed Abba that two bodies were floating on top of an open water.

“We received a distress call from Muhammed Abba that two bodies were floating on top of an open water.

“Upon receiving the report, we immediately sent our rescue team to the scene,” The Public Relations Officer of the Kano Fire service, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, quoted the Director, Alhaji Sani Anas as saying.

He added operatives of the Fire Service recovered the two dead bodies that were seen floating on the open water at Ring Road area.

The fire chief said that investigation indicated that the death occurred while the two were trying to escape from suspected phone snatchers who were pursuing them.

“In the process of trying to save themselves, they accidentally fell into the open water,” he said.

Anas said that the victims were brought out of the water dead and their bodies were handed over to their father, Ibrahim Shehu, of Unguwa Uku Quarters.

Recall that Kano government had last year deployed 380 Anti-Phone Snatching marshals to fight phone snatchers across the streets in the state.

The initiative was launched to combat the rising menace of phone snatching and other related offenses across the state.

In another development, a 40-year-old man, Shitu Balarabe, fell into the well at Durumin Zungura by Assahabul Khahafi, Kano Municipal.

“We received an emergency call from Abdullahi Aminu at about 7:12 p.m. that a man had fallen into a well.

“Upon receiving the report, we immediately sent out rescue team to the scene,” Anas said.

He added that Balarabe was successfully rescued alive and handed over to his brother, Jamilu Balarabe, of Durumin Zungura Kano City.

The fire chief appealed to the general public to take precautionary measures to prevent such tragedies and ensure children and youths avoid open waters.

He also advised that well should be covered to prevent people and animals from falling into them.

(NAN