Security personnel are working alongside emergency responders to support the rescue mission and assist in accounting for those still missing
By Mmesoma Onwuka
A tragic canoe accident in Jigawa State has left more than 40 women and children feared dead, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation by emergency responders and local volunteers.
The incident occurred in Ringim Local Government Area when a canoe carrying passengers reportedly capsized while travelling along a local waterway. The cause of the accident has yet to be established.
Officials of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said the passengers were predominantly women and children, adding that rescue teams were immediately deployed after receiving reports of the incident.
Local divers and community volunteers have joined emergency personnel in the search for survivors and the recovery of victims.
According to SEMA, the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed as rescue operations remain ongoing. However, preliminary reports suggest that dozens of passengers may have drowned after the canoe overturned.
The Jigawa State Police Command also confirmed the incident, stating that security personnel are working alongside emergency responders to support the rescue mission and assist in accounting for those still missing.
Authorities have assured affected families that every effort is being made to determine the fate of all passengers believed to have been on board.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over water transportation safety in many rural and riverine communities, where residents rely heavily on canoes and boats for daily commuting. Stakeholders have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, including compliance with passenger capacity limits and the provision of life jackets on inland waterways.
As of the time of filing this report, search and rescue operations were still underway, with officials expected to provide updated casualty figures as more information becomes available.
The Jigawa State Government had yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, while anxious families continued to await news of their missing relatives.