By Peace Udugba
A tragic canoe accident has claimed several lives in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, with no fewer than 30 people feared dead after a boat carrying about 40 passengers capsized.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Malamawar Yandutse village.
According to an eyewitness, the canoe was conveying mostly women and children when it overturned, throwing all passengers into the water.
Rescue operations were still ongoing at the time of filing this report, while grieving families had begun identifying recovered bodies for burial.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Muhammad Bala Sanusi, said emergency responders were working tirelessly to rescue survivors and recover victims.
He noted that the exact number of casualties and survivors could not yet be confirmed, as search and rescue operations were still underway.
Sanusi added that the cause of the accident had yet to be determined, stressing that officials of the agency were collaborating with local residents to account for all passengers aboard the canoe.
Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Emergency Management Committee, Malam Habibu Dauda, appealed to members of the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information until the authorities release an official statement.
The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over water transportation safety in riverine communities, where overloaded and poorly equipped boats have continued to pose significant risks to commuters.
