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Six die, seven children rescued in Jigawa canoe crash
A tragedy struck in Jigawa State when a canoe capsized, claiming six lives, with two children still missing, leaving authorities to investigate and grieving families to mourn.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, in a statement on Tuesday, said the incident occurred on Sunday, at about 8:15 pm, when 15 children were returning from a farm at Jejin Gunka to their village, Zangwan Maje, in Taura Local Government Area. The canoe, he said, capsized due to flooding, strong wind and overloading.
According to Adam, swift response from the police and local divers led to the rescue of seven children, who are currently safe, adding that “the rescued children are: Rukayya Abdullahi, 9; Ibrahim Garba, 12; Fatima Yusuf, 10; Suwaiba Yahaya, 20; Rukayya Saleh, 18; Jawahira Samaila, 10; and Sakina Sule, 11.”
The PPRO noted that, unfortunately, six bodies had been recovered so far.
He mentioned further that the recovered bodies include Hare Abdullahi, 12; Halima Ma’azu, 12; Nasiba Yahya, 15; Saima Yusuf, 25; Amina Sule, 11; and Saiya Abdullahi, 18. All were certified dead by a medical doctor on call, adding that “the police are working tirelessly to recover the two missing children.”
“Rescue efforts continue, with the police and local divers working around the clock to locate the missing children,” he said.
Adam explained further that a preliminary investigation revealed that the canoe’s driver fled after the incident. “Efforts are underway to locate, apprehend, and prosecute him in court,” he added.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children in rural areas, particularly those travelling by water, prompting calls from stakeholders, parents, community leaders, and safety experts across Jigawa State urging the government to improve water transportation infrastructure, enforce safety regulations, and provide adequate support to rural communities to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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