By Abbas Nazil
Four people have been confirmed dead and five others are still missing following a tragic canoe accident that occurred in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
This was confirmed in a press statement released on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Jigawa State Command, ACSC Badruddeen Tijjani.
The incident, which happened around 5 p.m. on Sunday, took place in Zangon Maje village when a canoe carrying 17 passengers capsized midway through its journey.
According to Tijjani, the canoe was transporting passengers, mostly young girls aged between 10 and 13 years, from Digawa village in Jahun Local Government Area to Zangon Maje in Taura Local Government Area.
He revealed that preliminary findings showed that out of the 17 passengers on board, seven were rescued alive, four were confirmed dead, while five are still missing as of the time of the report.
He stated that 16 of the passengers were females, a fact that further underscores the tragic impact of the accident on young lives and local families.
The NSCDC spokesperson expressed deep concern over the incident and disclosed that search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
These efforts are being led by NSCDC officers working closely with local divers and community volunteers to locate the five missing persons.
Tijjani noted that the exact cause of the accident remains unknown.
However, an investigation is currently underway to determine what led to the mishap and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
He emphasized the commitment of the Jigawa NSCDC Command to strengthening waterway safety across the state.
He also reassured residents that measures would be put in place to avert future tragedies.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Mr. Bala Bawa, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and the affected communities of Digawa and Zangon Maje.
He extended words of sympathy to everyone touched by the loss and encouraged them to remain strong during this difficult time.
Mr. Bawa also appreciated the swift response of NSCDC personnel and the courageous efforts of the local divers and community members who joined the rescue mission.
He promised that the public would be kept informed as the rescue operation and investigation continue.
The incident has left the affected communities in shock and mourning, raising renewed concerns about the safety of water transportation in rural areas of Jigawa State.
The tragedy comes amid increasing calls for improved regulation, life-saving equipment, and public awareness campaigns to prevent further loss of life on the state’s waterways.
Authorities are urging residents who rely on boats and canoes for transportation to prioritize safety and avoid overloading vessels.
Further updates are expected as investigations and recovery operations progress.
