No fewer than 30 people are feared dead after a canoe carrying about 40 passengers capsized in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Malamawar Yandutse village. According to eyewitnesses, the passengers were mostly women and children when the canoe overturned while crossing the water.
Rescue operations were still underway as emergency responders and local residents searched for survivors. Families of those believed to have died were also asked to help identify recovered bodies for burial.
Inside Jigawa:
Jigawa Commissioner reacts to Hisba arrest
Man Arrested for Killing Father In Jigawa, Reveals Why
Panic in Jigawa as Residents Stop Vehicle Carrying Suspected Explosives
The Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Muhammad Bala Sanusi, confirmed the incident, saying rescue efforts were ongoing and that the exact number of casualties and survivors had yet to be established.
He explained that the cause of the accident had not been determined, adding that officials were working with members of the community to account for all passengers who were on board at the time of the incident.
Sanusi noted that casualty figures could change as rescue operations continued.
The Chairman of the Emergency Management Committee, Malam Habibu Dauda, also confirmed the tragedy and urged the public to remain calm.
He appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified information until authorities complete rescue efforts and release an official update.
Emergency officials are expected to provide more details as the operation progresses.
About The Author
