Tragic Boat Accident in Jigawa Claims Lives of Young Girls; Search Continues for Missing
A devastating boat mishap in Jigawa State, northern Nigeria, has led to the confirmed deaths of at least four young girls, with desperate search and rescue efforts still underway for five more missing individuals. The tragedy, which occurred on Sunday, July 27, 2025, has cast a somber mood over affected communities and reignited urgent concerns about water safety in the region.
Key Details of the Tragedy:
Date and Time: The accident took place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM (1700hrs).
Location: The incident happened at Zangon Maje, a village in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The ill-fated journey originated from Digawa Village in the Jahun Local Government Area, with Zangon Maje as the destination.
Vessel and Passengers: The vessel involved was a canoe carrying a total of 17 passengers. Heartbreakingly, 16 of these passengers were young girls, primarily aged between 10 and 13 years old, believed to have been returning from a visit or errand.
Casualties and Status (as of Wednesday, July 30, 2025):
Rescued Alive: Seven of the 17 passengers were successfully rescued shortly after the capsizing.
Bodies Recovered: Four bodies have been recovered from the river.
Missing: Five persons (all believed to be girls) remain unaccounted for, and extensive search operations are actively continuing to locate them.
Note: While some initial reports varied, the most consistent and recent confirmations from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Jigawa State Police Command indicate 4 bodies recovered and 5 still missing out of the 17 passengers.
Suspected Cause: The precise cause of the boat capsize is under active investigation. However, preliminary findings from the police suggest that the incident was likely caused by a combination of factors, including flooding, strong winds, and suspected overloading of the canoe.
Immediate Response: Swift rescue operations were launched immediately following the incident, spearheaded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in close collaboration with local divers and community volunteers.
Statements from Authorities:
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC): ACSC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in Jigawa, issued a statement confirming the tragedy and providing the updated figures on rescued, recovered, and missing individuals. He conveyed profound sorrow over the loss of young lives and reiterated the command's dedication to finding those still missing and implementing measures to enhance water safety across the state.
Jigawa State Police Command: SP Shi'isu Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer, also confirmed the unfortunate incident, detailing the age range of the victims and the ongoing rescue efforts. He noted that the canoe's driver reportedly fled the scene after the accident and is currently at large.
Community Impact and Broader Concerns:
The devastating loss of young lives has plunged the affected communities of Digawa and Zangon Maje into deep mourning. This incident has also intensified long-standing concerns regarding the safety of water transportation in Nigeria, particularly for children and in rural areas where waterways often serve as crucial, albeit hazardous, arteries for movement.
Authorities have renewed their calls for the public to strictly adhere to established safety guidelines for water travel, to vehemently avoid overloading boats, and to exercise extreme caution, especially during the current rainy season when river levels are high and currents can be dangerously unpredictable. The tragedy starkly highlights the urgent imperative for improved water transportation infrastructure and rigorous enforcement of safety regulations across Jigawa State's waterways to prevent any recurrence of such heartbreaking incidents.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
