The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed that one person has been found dead, while 39 others are still missing after a boat accident in Malamawar Yan Dutse community, Ringim Local Government Area of the state.
Police said the tragedy happened around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday when a local boat carrying more than 40 passengers, mostly female farmers and labourers, overturned during the journey, leaving many trapped in the water.
Boat accidents have continued to claim lives in parts of northern Nigeria, especially during the rainy season. They are often linked to overloading, failure to wear life jackets and strong water currents.
The accident has left the Malamawar Yan Dutse riverine community in grief as families wait anxiously for news about their relatives.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the incident. He said police received a report of the accident and quickly sent officers and other relevant agencies to the scene.
Speaking with PUNCH Online by telephone on Monday, Adam said one body had been recovered, while search and rescue efforts were still underway.
He added that teams were still searching for the remaining 39 passengers who had not been found.
According to him, the Command is working with other emergency agencies to thoroughly search the area, assuring that further details would be made public in due course.
The Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency also confirmed the incident. He said the victims were mainly female farmers and labourers travelling to their farms when the boat overturned.
He said the exact cause of the accident was still unknown and that an assessment was ongoing.
He said, “Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” adding that casualty figures could not be confirmed yet as operations continued.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Habibu Dauda, said local divers and residents had joined emergency workers in the search.
Habibu appealed to residents to stay calm and avoid sharing unconfirmed information, assuring that an official update would be released once rescue efforts provide a clearer picture.
