One Dead, 39 Missing In Jigawa Boat Mishap

A boat conveying more than 40 passengers has capsized in Malamawar Yan Dutse community, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, leaving one person dead and 39 others missing.

The incident, which occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, involved a locally built boat carrying mostly female farmers and labourers on their way to their farms.

The mishap has thrown the community into mourning as families await news of relatives still trapped in the water.

Confirming the incident, the Jigawa State Police Command said officers, alongside other emergency responders, were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving a distress report.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, told PUNCH Online on Monday that one body had so far been recovered, while efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining 39 passengers.

He said the police were collaborating with relevant emergency agencies to intensify search and rescue operations, assuring that more information would be released as the operation progresses.

Also speaking on the incident, the Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency said the victims were mainly female farmers and labourers travelling to their farms when the boat overturned.

He explained that the exact cause of the accident had yet to be determined, adding that officials were still assessing the situation.

According to him, “Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” noting that casualty figures could not yet be confirmed while rescue operations continued.

The Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Habibu Dauda, said local divers and residents had joined emergency responders in the search for the missing passengers.

He urged residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information, assuring that official updates would be provided as rescue efforts continue.

Boat accidents remain a recurring challenge in many riverine communities across northern Nigeria, especially during the rainy season, with overloading, poor safety measures and strong water currents often blamed for such tragedies.

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