The Jigawa State Police Command has announced that six bodies have been found from the boat disaster at Malamawar Yan Dutse in Ringim Local Government Area, with 34 people still missing.
According to the Command, the incident occurred about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, when a boat carrying 40 farmers and laborers collapsed while crossing a river.
Confirming the latest press on Monday afternoon, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said rescue teams had intensified search operations.
Adam stated that the number of bodies discovered had climbed to six and that a joint operation comprising the police, the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, and local divers was underway to recover the remaining fatalities.
According to him, search and rescue operations will continue until all passengers aboard the boat are accounted for.
A local diver, Malam Jibril Sani, said search efforts had continued since the incident occurred.
He said, “We started the search immediately after the incident occurred, before the Maghrib prayer on Sunday, and stopped when night fell before resuming the search this morning.”
Another diver, Yakubu Danfulani, stated that local divers were working with emergency officials to find the missing people.
He indicated that the team would continue to do everything possible to locate the missing passengers on board, whether they were dead or alive.
He stated that the rescue operation would continue until all of the victims were found.
Musbahu Bashir, a local citizen, described the village’s mood as one of mourning.
He said, “We spent the whole of yesterday night sleepless, thinking of how these missed persons will be found.”
Another resident, Malam Wawu, urged the Jigawa State and Federal governments to supply life jackets, deploy ferries, and build roads and bridges to service the surrounding towns.
Meanwhile, authorities have advised locals to remain calm and wait for official updates while search and rescue activities continue.
Residents of settlements across the river in Jigawa State have expressed dread following Sunday’s boat tragedy, with many now afraid to use water transportation.
According to them, the incident has caused panic and impeded transportation, warning that unless immediate action is taken, many villages may stay shut off from their farms, markets, and schools.
