Six people have died in Zangwan Maje, Jigawa State, in a tragic canoe accident, and two are still missing.
The incident took place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, when a canoe carrying 15 children from a Jejin Gunka farm back to their village capsized due to flooding, strong winds, and overloading, according to a press release from the Jigawa State Police Command on Tuesday.
Seven children were saved alive, according to the police, and six bodies had been found as of Tuesday morning. The two missing children are still at large, despite efforts.
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The rescued people were identified as Sakina Sule (11) and Rukayya Abdullahi (9), Ibrahim Garba (12), Fatima Yusuf (10), Suwaiba Yahaya (20), Rukayya Saleh (18), Jawahira Samaila (10), and Fatima Yusuf (11).
The bodies recovered include Hare Abdullahi (12), Halima Ma’azu (12), Nasiba Yahya (15), Saima Yusuf (25), Amina Sule (11), and Saiya Abdullahi (18). A doctor confirmed the death of all of them.
The canoe operator fled the scene after the accident, according to SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, the public relations officer for Jigawa State Police. He stated that “efforts are being made to locate, apprehend, and ultimately prosecute him in court as a deterrent to others.”
The Zangwan Maje community as well as the bereaved families and the Commissioner of Police, CP Dahiru Muhammad, expressed their condolences over the incident.
This unfortunate event has deeply sadden us. I advise all riverine residents to avoid nighttime excursions, steer clear of canoe overloads, and always wear life jackets,” CP Muhammad said.
The incident was described as heartbreaking by locals who spoke with this reporter. Elder in the community, Malam Garba Maje, declared, “We are in mourning. Our sons and daughters were here. Our small village would never have been the scene of such a tragedy.
Source: Channels TV
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