Police Cautions Against Taking Shelter Under Tree as Two Children Lost Their Lives and Two Injured as Windstorm Uproots Tree in Bauchi Community
By Pan Afric Reporters
Two children have lost their lives while two others sustained injuries after a violent windstorm uprooted a tree under which they had taken refuge during a heavy downpour in Bashe Village, on the outskirts of Burra, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2026, when five children reportedly ran beneath a tree to escape the rain, only for the tree to be uprooted by the storm and collapse on them.
According to a press release issued by the Bauchi State Police Command and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, for the Commissioner of Police, the victims were immediately rescued by police officers and rushed to the Primary Health Care Centre in Bashe for emergency treatment.
The statement identified the deceased as Amina Maharazu, aged eight, and Asiya Tasiu, also eight years old, who were certified dead by a medical practitioner.
Three other children involved in the incident were identified as Samaila Tasiu (10), Sulaiman M. Rabiu (12), and Yusuf M. Salmanu (8). While Samaila escaped unhurt, Sulaiman and Yusuf sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the health facility.
According to the police, the incident was reported to the Burra Divisional Police Headquarters at about 5:40 p.m. by the Officer-in-Charge of the Bashe Police Outstation after the windstorm struck the community around 4:00 p.m.
“Five children… ran and took refuge under a tree to shield themselves from the rain. Unfortunately, the storm uprooted the tree and it fell on them,” the statement said.
The Command disclosed that officers promptly responded to the distress call, evacuated the victims to the hospital, documented the scene, and subsequently released the bodies of the deceased to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
It added that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured children a speedy recovery.
“He also urges parents and guardians to caution children against taking shelter under trees during storms and heavy rainfall,” the statement added.
The Police Command appealed to residents to remain safety conscious during periods of severe weather and adhere to precautionary measures capable of preventing avoidable loss of lives.
