More Than 30 Feared Dead After Boat Carrying Farmers Capsizes In Jigawa

About 30 people are feared to have died after a canoe conveying farmers capsized on Sunday in Malamawar Yandutse community, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The victims, comprising men, women and children, were reportedly returning home after a day’s farming activities when the canoe overturned while crossing a river in the community.

Residents said about 40 passengers were on board at the time of the accident, raising fears that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Universal Reporters gathered  that the incident occurred at Yandutse, where local volunteers, divers and emergency responders immediately launched rescue efforts to locate survivors and recover those still missing.

Confirming the incident, the Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Muhammad Bala Sanusi, said rescue operations were ongoing and the exact number of casualties and survivors had yet to be confirmed.

“Search and rescue efforts are currently ongoing, and the exact number of casualties or survivors has not yet been confirmed,” he said.

Sanusi added that emergency personnel, working with community volunteers, were making every effort to locate those still missing.

“All hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing. Authorities will provide verified information as soon as rescue operations are concluded,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Habibu Dauda, appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while rescue operations continued.

He assured that the local government, in collaboration with the state government and relevant emergency agencies, was closely monitoring the situation and would provide updates as verified information becomes available.