Tragedy has struck Jigawa state, after a vessel conveying about 40 passengers capsized in the Ringim local government area, leaving over 30 people feared drowned.
According to reports, the disaster occurred on Sunday evening, in the Malamawar Ƴan-Dutse community. The vessel was transporting approximately 40 passengers, predominantly female farmers, laborers, women, and children – when it suddenly overturned while crossing the river. The incident has plunged the local community into deep mourning as emergency teams continue intensive search operations.
The Jigawa State Police Command officially confirmed the disaster through its Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam. As of yesterday morning, authorities confirmed that one body has been recovered from the waterway. While local sources fear that up to 30 passengers may have drowned, police and emergency responders are officially treating them as missing until rescue squads finish combing the area. Emergency rescue teams are currently locked in a race against time to locate survivors.
Addressing newsmen in Dutse, the Director of Planning for the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Muhammad Bala Sanusi, stated that the exact cause of the accident has yet to be established.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Habibu Dauda, has issued a strong appeal urging families and residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information or death tolls until official statements are released.
