The Jigawa State Police Command has reported one dead and 39 people still missing as a result of a boat tragedy in the Malamawar Yan Dutse community in the Ringim LGA of the state.
According to the Command, the event occurred about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday when a local boat carrying more than 40 passengers, predominantly female farmers and laborers, crashed while in transit, trapping several of them in the water.
Boat accidents continue to be a reoccurring tragedy in portions of northern Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, and are frequently blamed on overloading, failure to utilize life jackets, and strong water currents.
The catastrophe has plunged the Malamawar Yan Dutse riverine community into sorrow, with families anxiously awaiting word on the fate of their relatives.
SP Shi’isu Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer for Jigawa State Command, confirmed the incident, stating that the police received a report of the capsize and immediately deployed officers and other relevant agencies to the scene.
Speaking with the press on Monday, Adam said one body had been recovered, while search and rescue operations were ongoing.
He stated that efforts were still underway to locate the remaining 39 unaccounted-for passengers.
According to him, the command is collaborating with other emergency services to conduct a thorough search of the region, and more information will be released in due course.
The Director of Planning of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency also confirmed the tragedy, stating that the casualties were largely female farmers and laborers who were on their way to their farms when the boat overturned.
He stated the specific cause of the accident had yet to be determined and that an investigation was still ongoing.
He said, “Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” also stating that casualty figures could not be confirmed yet as operations continued.
Meanwhile, Habibu Dauda, Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, announced that local divers and civilians have joined emergency responders in the search operation.
Habibu advised citizens to remain calm and refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information, stating that an official update would be released once rescue operations yielded better information.
