Ibrahim Ibrahim
No fewer than 30 people are feared dead following a canoe accident in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening when a canoe conveying passengers from Garbi village in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State to Adiyani cvillage in Guri LGA capsized while in transit.
A resident of the area told journalists that the boat was overloaded with passengers at the time of the accident.
According to the source, 16 people have so far been confirmed dead, 10 others were rescued alive, while 14 passengers remain missing.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, said the accident was reported to the police at about 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
“On Saturday evening at about 7 p.m., the command received a report of a canoe capsize at Adiyani village in Guri Local Government Area,” SP Adam said.
“The canoe was carrying about 40 passengers when it capsized. Sixteen persons were confirmed dead, 10 were rescued, while 14 others are still missing.”
He added that search and rescue operations are ongoing in collaboration with local divers and community members to recover the missing persons.
The police spokesman also disclosed that investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the accident.