Jigawa govt confirms six dead, 23 survivors in canoe accident

The Jigawa State Government has confirmed the recovery of six bodies and the rescue of 23 passengers following a canoe capsize in Ringim Local Government Area.

The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, Auwalu Danladi Sankara, confirmed the incident while speaking to journalists during a sympathy visit to the Malamawar Yandutse community, where the tragedy occurred.

Sankara said the accident happened at about 1 pm on Sunday when a canoe carrying between 30 and 40 passengers capsized while crossing the river.

According to him, 23 passengers were rescued alive, while six bodies have so far been recovered.

He added that search and rescue operations are still ongoing to locate the remaining missing passengers, noting that the recovered victims would be buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Aminu Kafinta attributed the accident to overloading, saying the number of passengers exceeded the canoe’s capacity.

“We saw them boarding the canoe and warned them that it could not carry all of them. We advised them to reduce the number of passengers, but unfortunately they did not listen, and the canoe capsized almost immediately,” he said.

Kafinta appealed to the Jigawa State Government to provide a lasting solution to the recurring accidents in the area.

He called on the government to construct a bridge across the river to provide safer access for residents and prevent future tragedies, noting that similar incidents occur almost every year.