A peaceful river crossing turned tragic in Jigawa State on Sunday after a passenger boat carrying about 40 people capsized in Malamawa community, ‘Yan Dutse District of Ringim Local Government Area, leaving one person dead and many others missing.
According to reports, the boat was transporting mostly women and children when it suddenly overturned while crossing a local waterway, triggering a frantic rescue operation.
The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, who said one body has so far been recovered while security personnel, emergency responders and local volunteers continue searching for those still unaccounted for.
“The rescue operation is ongoing, and security personnel, alongside emergency responders and volunteers, are working tirelessly to search for those still missing,” the police spokesperson said.
The tragic incident has thrown the Malamawa community into grief, with families of passengers anxiously waiting along the riverbank as rescue teams continue their search.
The Ringim Emirate Council also confirmed the boat mishap, saying it resulted in fatalities but noting that the exact number of deaths, survivors and missing persons is yet to be established.
Residents said local volunteers joined security agencies immediately after the accident in an effort to rescue victims, while traditional leaders appealed for calm and urged the public to cooperate with emergency officials.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities have yet to release a final casualty figure, with search teams still combing the water for missing passengers.
Boat accidents remain a frequent occurrence in several riverine communities across northern Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when swollen waterways and stronger currents increase the risk of disasters. Safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of passenger limits, routine boat inspections and compulsory use of life jackets to reduce the growing number of fatal accidents.
The Jigawa State Police Command assured residents that the search-and-rescue mission would continue until every passenger is accounted for. It also urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.
