Body of Three-Year-Old Girl Swept Away by Flood Found in Zaria

Body of Three-Year-Old Girl Swept Away by Flood Found in Zaria

By Idris Umar, Zaria

The body of three-year-old Haneefa, who was swept away by floodwaters six days earlier, has been discovered in a stream behind Gyallesu, near the Kilaco area of Zaria.

According to Abdulmumin Adamu, head of the Red Cross in the Zaria branch, the body was found around 11:00 AM on Sunday, September 14, 2025. “We recovered the body of Haneefa downstream in the Kilaco area. With this discovery, the search and recovery operation has now officially ended, as all missing persons have been accounted for,” he stated in an official release.

The tragic incident occurred on September 8, 2025, following a heavy downpour in Tudun Jukun, within the Tukur-Tukur district of Zaria. The flood claimed the lives of two students: Fatima Sani Danmarke and Yusuf Surajo, also known as Abba.

Haneefa, the younger sister of Fatima, was being carried on her sister’s back when the flood hit. While the bodies of Fatima and Yusuf were recovered shortly after the disaster, Haneefa remained missing until Sunday’s discovery.

Her grandfather, Mallam Suleiman of Adamu Mai Aljana Lane, Magume, confirmed the recovery of her body. He noted that her father, who is the elder brother to Fatima's mother, had already departed for Umrah on Friday, days after the incident.

“On Sunday morning, I received a call informing me that Haneefa’s body had been found. A tree had apparently caught her body downstream in the Gyallesu area. We immediately arranged for funeral prayers, performed the necessary rites, and buried her,” he said.

He also mentioned that the family had performed Salatul Gaib (funeral prayer in absentia) for her the day before, after Maghrib prayers at Mallam Isa Cikon Kwami Mosque in Magume.

Alhaji Sani Danmarke, a relative of the victims, expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the search and offered their condolences. He prayed that God rewards everyone for their compassion and support during the difficult time.

In response to the tragedy, religious leaders across Zaria have intensified public awareness efforts, urging parents to be vigilant with their children during rainy seasons and advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid floodwaters to prevent future occurrences.