One dead, 18 rescued in boat accident in Jigawa

No fewer than 18 persons were rescued in an accident involving 20 traders on board a canoe en route from Kwalgai village to Hadin in Auyo Local Government Area of ​​Zamfara State.

According to Jigawa State Police on Monday, a preliminary investigation revealed that the capsizing of the canoe was due to strong waves and overloading, which resulted in the canoeist losing control of the boat.

Command spokesman Lawan Adam said in Dutse, the state capital, that divers, fishermen and good Samaritans were immediately notified in an attempt to rescue the victims, while a police team led by a divisional police officer rushed to the scene of the accident.

Adam said: “The rescue team was able to rescue 18 passengers alive, but two female passengers are still missing.”

He then announced that “on July 8, 2024 at around 6am, an 18-year-old Habiba Ado from Kwalgai, one of the two missing women, was rescued,” adding that she was rushed to hospital.

“While efforts to rescue the missing woman were intensified, the rescued victims were already being taken to the hospital for medical attention,” Adam noted.

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