The death toll from the boat accident in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State has increased to six, while 34 passengers are still unaccounted for, the Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening at about 4:30 p.m. when a boat carrying about 40 farmers and labourers capsized while attempting to cross a river at Malamawar Yan Dutse community.
Confirming the latest development on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, said rescue teams were continuing efforts to locate the remaining passengers.
“The number of bodies recovered has risen to six. A joint rescue operation involving the police, the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency and local divers is ongoing to recover the remaining victims,” Adam said.
He added that search and rescue operations would continue until everyone who was on board the boat had been accounted for.
A local diver, Malam Jibril Sani, said the search began immediately after the accident before it was suspended at night due to poor visibility.
“We started searching as soon as the boat capsized on Sunday, before the Maghrib prayer. We had to stop when it became dark and resumed the operation early this morning,” he said.
Another diver, Yakubu Danfulani, said local divers were working closely with emergency responders to locate the missing passengers.
“We are doing everything possible to recover those who are still missing. The operation will continue until every victim is found, whether alive or dead,” Danfulani said.
The tragedy has left residents of the community devastated, with many expressing concern over the safety of river transportation.
A resident, Musbahu Bashir, described the atmosphere in the village as one of grief.
“We spent the entire night without sleep, praying and hoping those who are missing would be found,” he said.
Another resident, Malam Wawu, urged both the Jigawa StateQq and Federal Governments to improve water transport safety by providing life jackets, deploying ferries and constructing roads and bridges to connect riverine communities.
Meanwhile, authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm as rescue operations continue.
Residents in communities across the river also said the incident has heightened fears about travelling by water, warning that without improved transport infrastructure, many communities could remain isolated from farms, markets and schools.
