Twenty-three persons have been rescued, while eight bodies have been recovered from Sunday’s boat accident that claimed 40 passengers in Jigawa State.

The incident occurred at Malamawar-Yan Dutse in Ringim Local Government Area, where a wooden boat conveying about 40 passengers, mostly female farmers and labourers, capsized while crossing a waterway.

Boat accidents have remained a recurring tragedy in riverine communities across northern Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, often attributed to overloading, failure to use life jackets and strong water currents.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the latest casualty figure to The PUNCH on Monday.

He said search and rescue operations continued for the remaining nine passengers.

“At the moment, we have successfully rescued 23 victims alive. Unfortunately, we have also recovered eight corpses from the river,” Adam said.

He explained that local divers, emergency responders and security personnel had been at the scene since the incident occurred to rescue survivors and recover bodies.

According to him, all the rescued victims received medical attention and were subsequently discharged.

“Those rescued are now safe at their homes as they were discharged to reunite with their families,” he said.

Adam added that the search for the remaining nine passengers would continue on Tuesday.

“We are not relenting. Our teams are combing the river and adjoining communities to ensure we find the remaining nine persons,” he said.

He appealed to residents of riverine communities to assist security agencies with useful information that could aid the rescue operation.

The police spokesman also urged boat operators to avoid overloading and ensure that all passengers wear life jackets before embarking on any journey.

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The Northern Christian Association has asked the Federal Government to explain what it described as a wide disparity in the allocation of about N8.05bn for church and mosque projects in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, warning that the imbalance raises concerns over equity and equal treatment of citizens.

The association said it was not opposed to government support for religious projects but insisted that such interventions must be guided by the constitutional principles of fairness, transparency and justice.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Rev Joseph Hayab, the NCA said reports indicated that about N1.91bn was earmarked for seven church-related projects, while approximately N6.14bn was allocated to 52 mosque-related projects in the 2026 budget.

According to the association, the disparity had reinforced concerns among many Christians over what it described as a persistent pattern of unequal treatment and selective implementation of government policies.

Hayab said, “How long will Nigerians continue to read stories that expose the hypocrisy of our leaders?

“The partiality, lack of equity and unequal treatment of citizens by government and political leaders are among the major factors responsible for division, distrust, segregation and the absence of genuine unity and love among Nigerians.”

He added that while Christians had continued to exercise restraint in the interest of national peace and unity, successive governments had often mistaken such patience for weakness.

The NCA argued that Nigerians had repeatedly witnessed actions exposing inconsistencies in governance, warning that perceived discrimination and double standards were eroding public trust and national cohesion.

“Our constitution recognises every Nigerian as equal before the law, while the teachings of all religions discourage unfair treatment of children, women, family members and fellow human beings.

“Government should, therefore, not be seen to promote policies that suggest preferential treatment for one religious group over another,” Hayab said.

The association stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to Islam, Christianity or government collaboration with faith-based organisations, but rather as a call for fairness in the distribution of public resources.

It maintained that if public funds were to be allocated for religious projects, such allocations should be transparent, balanced and devoid of any perception that one faith enjoyed greater recognition than another.

“NCA is challenging the Federal Government to explain these abnormalities. Government should not establish a system that creates division among citizens or gives the impression that one religious community is more important than another.

“Instead, it should initiate programmes and policies that unite Nigerians and strengthen our collective national identity,” the statement added.

The association further urged the Federal Government to review the allocations in line with the constitutional principles of fairness, equity and equal treatment, insisting that budgetary decisions should promote national unity and strengthen public confidence in the impartiality of government.

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