At least six people have lost their lives, while 15 others were rescued, after a canoe carrying dozens of passengers capsized in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The tragic incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday in Malamawa village, where the canoe, reportedly carrying about 40 passengers, overturned during the journey.
Emergency rescue operations are still underway, with officials of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) deployed to the scene to search for those who remain missing.
Confirming the incident, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal Sankara, said the state government had intensified rescue efforts to ensure that every victim was accounted for.
“We have so far recovered six bodies and rescued 15 persons alive. Search operations are still ongoing,” he said.
Sankara assured that emergency responders would continue the operation until all passengers involved in the accident had been located.
“We will continue the rescue mission until every single person is found, dead or alive,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the canoe was overloaded before the accident, raising fresh concerns over adherence to safety regulations on inland waterways.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact number of passengers still missing as rescue efforts continue.
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