Tragedy struck in Jigawa State as a canoe carrying 15 children capsized on Sunday evening, leaving six confirmed dead and two still missing, according to the police.
The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. while the children were returning from a farm in Jejin Gunka to their village, Zangwan Maje, in Taura Local Government Area. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, confirmed that the canoe capsized due to flooding, strong winds, and overloading.
“Seven children were rescued alive by police personnel and local divers,” Adam said in a statement released Tuesday. The survivors include Rukayya Abdullahi (9), Ibrahim Garba (12), Fatima Yusuf (10), Suwaiba Yahaya (20), Rukayya Saleh (18), Jawahira Samaila (10), and Sakina Sule (11).
However, six bodies were later recovered from the water. The victims were identified as Hare Abdullahi (12), Halima Ma’azu (12), Nasiba Yahya (15), Saima Yusuf (25), Amina Sule (11), and Saiya Abdullahi (18). Medical officials on-site confirmed all were dead upon retrieval.
Search operations are ongoing to recover the remaining two missing children. Authorities are working in collaboration with local divers, and rescue efforts have continued into the week.
The police also disclosed that the canoe operator fled the scene immediately after the incident. “Efforts are ongoing to locate, apprehend, and prosecute him in accordance with the law,” SP Adam added.
The tragedy has prompted widespread calls from community leaders, parents, and public safety advocates for urgent government intervention in rural water transport. Many are demanding improved safety regulations, better infrastructure, and strict enforcement to prevent such avoidable incidents in the future.
