Emergency officials rescue 15 passengers as search continues for victims of the Ringim canoe tragedy.
At least six people have been confirmed dead following a canoe mishap in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, with several others still unaccounted for.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at about 4 p.m. in Malamawa village when a canoe carrying about 40 passengers capsized while travelling on a local waterway.
Confirming the development, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal Sankara, said rescue teams had so far recovered six bodies and rescued 15 passengers alive.
“We have so far recovered six bodies and rescued 15 persons alive. Search operations are still ongoing,” Sankara said.
He assured residents that the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency and other emergency responders would continue the operation until all victims were accounted for.
“We will continue the rescue mission until every single person is found, dead or alive,” he added.
Eyewitnesses attributed the incident to overloading, raising fresh concerns about compliance with safety regulations on inland waterways across the state.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact number of persons still missing as search and rescue efforts continue.
The latest tragedy adds to a growing number of fatal boat and canoe accidents recorded across Nigeria in recent years, many of which have been linked to overcrowding, poor maintenance, and inadequate safety measures.