The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, has confirmed the death of four persons and the disappearance of five others following a canoe mishap in Zangon Maje village, Taura Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, involved a canoe transporting 17 passengers, mostly girls aged between 10 and 13, from Digawa village in Jahun LGA to Zangon Maje in Taura LGA.
The NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer, ACSC Badruddeen Tijjani, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Dutse.
“Preliminary reports confirmed that out of the 17 passengers onboard, seven were rescued alive, four dead bodies have been recovered, while five persons remain missing as of the time of this release,” he stated.
Tijjani added that 16 of the 17 passengers were female, describing the incident as a heartbreaking loss of young lives.
Rescue operations, led by the NSCDC in collaboration with local divers and community volunteers, are ongoing to recover the missing persons. The cause of the mishap remains unknown, as investigations are still underway.
Tijjani reassured the public of the Corps’ commitment to improving safety across the state’s waterways and preventing similar occurrences.
The NSCDC Commandant in Jigawa, Mr. Bala Bawa, expressed deep sympathy to the affected families and commended the swift response of all personnel and volunteers involved in the rescue efforts.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by this tragedy,” the Commandant said, adding that updates would follow as investigations progress.
