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Eight people have been confirmed dead, 23 rescued, and nine remain missing after a passenger boat carrying about 40 people capsized in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday when the locally built boat, conveying mostly female farmers and labourers, overturned while crossing a waterway at Malamawar-Yan Dutse.
Confirming the latest casualty figures on Monday, the spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, Shi’isu Adam, said search and rescue operations were still ongoing.
According to him, 23 passengers were rescued alive and have since received medical attention and been discharged to reunite with their families, while eight bodies have been recovered from the river.
“At the moment, we have successfully rescued 23 victims alive. Unfortunately, we have also recovered eight corpses from the river,” Adam stated.
“Those rescued are now safe at their homes, as they have already been discharged to reunite with their families,” he added.
Revealing the identities of the survivors, the police spokesperson listed 23 people who survived the mishap.
“Those rescued alive include Baba Dahiru, 60; Sule Daini Adamu, 45; Auwalu Mutari, 30; Anty Haruna, 17; Shamsiyya Dehuru, 9; Saiyada Adnanu, 15; Murjanatu Yusha’u, 15; Buhari Ubale, 40; Fahat Magaji, 25; and Amira Yusha’u, 10,” Adam said.
He gave the names of the remaining survivors as Nuriiya Yusuf, 11; Afiya A. Amadu, 60; Binta A. Sani, 13; Shamsi Baba Mal, 30; Yusuf Isiya, 35; Firdausi Sahalu, 7; Ajinjira Ashirin Ado, 13; Sawaida Safiyani, 9; Zainab Umar, 12; Ismail Umaru, 10; Hassana Zurkai, 7; Walaiya Yasa’a, 8; and Zainab Ashiru, 14.
“The victims comprise men, women and children. We are glad that 23 lives were saved, and they are now safely in their homes,” the police spokesman added.
Adam said local divers, emergency responders and security personnel have remained at the scene since the accident in an effort to locate the remaining nine passengers still unaccounted for.
He added that rescue teams would continue the search on Tuesday, with efforts extending to nearby communities along the waterway.
“We are not relenting. Our teams are combing the river and adjoining communities to ensure we find the remaining nine missing persons,” he said.
The police spokesperson appealed to residents of riverine communities to provide any information that could assist rescue operations.
He also urged boat operators to avoid overloading vessels and ensure passengers wear life jackets before embarking on journeys, adding that the command would continue to provide updates as the operation progresses.
“Once again, we urge boat operators to avoid overloading and ensure passengers wear life jackets before embarking on any journey,” Adam advised.
