Tragedy struck Tungan-Noma village in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State as three children lost their lives after being engulfed by a bush fire while grazing cattle.
According to intelligence sources quoted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on Friday, the victims, identified as Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12), had left their homes to graze cattle in a nearby bush.
It was gathered that the children reportedly entered a deep gully where they set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals.
The fire, however, spread rapidly due to dry vegetation and strong winds, trapping the children in the gully and preventing their escape.
Their lifeless bodies were later recovered and taken to the General Hospital in Mokwa for autopsy.
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Officials and local authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragic event has drawn renewed attention to the dangers faced by children in rural communities, particularly during unsupervised outdoor activities such as cattle grazing and hunting.
Community leaders and authorities have urged parents and guardians to exercise greater caution and ensure the safety of children, especially during the dry season when bush fires are more likely to occur.