Six Bodies Recovered After Jigawa Canoe Accident

Six bodies have been recovered after a canoe capsized in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, with search-and-rescue operations still continuing.

Daily Post and Channels TV reported the updated official figure, citing Jigawa State officials. Daily Post reported that 23 passengers had been rescued alive, while Channels TV reported 15 rescued and said several others were still missing.

The accident happened on Sunday around the Malamawar Yandutse community. Daily Post reported that the canoe was carrying between 30 and 40 passengers when it capsized while crossing the river. Channels TV reported that about 40 people were aboard.

Auwalu Danladi Sankara, the state commissioner for special duties and humanitarian affairs, confirmed the recovery of six bodies during a sympathy visit to the community. He said rescue operations were still ongoing.

Punch and Daily Trust had earlier reported one confirmed death with many passengers missing, citing police information before the later official update. NaijaTrend is using the later state-government update while keeping the earlier figures source-specific.

Community accounts cited overloading as a possible factor. The incident again points to the recurring danger of overloaded river transport in parts of northern Nigeria during the rainy season, especially where residents depend on canoes to reach farms and neighbouring settlements.

The victims already recovered were expected to be buried according to Islamic rites.

Sources: Daily Post, Channels TV, Punch, Daily Trust