Search and rescue operations are ongoing after a boat carrying more than 30 passengers reportedly capsized at Malamawar Yan Dutse community in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred on Sunday, July 19, while the passengers, mostly female farmers and labourers, were travelling by boat.
The Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed the incident to journalists in Dutse, stating that the cause of the accident has yet to be determined.
He said emergency responders, alongside local residents, were conducting intensive search operations to locate survivors and determine the fate of those onboard.
“Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” the official said.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties, as rescue operations were still in progress at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Malam Habibu Dauda, appealed to residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information until an official update is released by the relevant authorities.
