A tragic canoe accident has claimed the lives of six individuals, with two others still unaccounted for in Zangwan Maje village, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State.
According to a press statement issued by the Jigawa State Police Command on Tuesday, the incident occurred on Sunday, July 27, 2025, when a canoe transporting 15 children from Jejin Gunka farm back to their village capsized due to flooding, strong winds, and overloading.
The police confirmed that seven children were rescued alive, while six bodies had been recovered as of Tuesday morning. Search operations are ongoing to locate the two missing children.
The rescued survivors have been identified as: Rukayya Abdullahi (9), Ibrahim Garba (12), Fatima Yusuf (10), Suwaiba Yahaya (20), Rukayya Saleh (18), Jawahira Samaila (10), and Sakina Sule (11).
Those confirmed dead include Hare Abdullahi (12), Halima Ma’azu (12), Nasiba Yahya (15), Saima Yusuf (25), Amina Sule (11), and Saiya Abdullahi (18). Their deaths were confirmed by a medical doctor.
Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, who signed the statement, revealed that the canoe operator fled the scene after the accident. “Efforts are underway to locate, apprehend, and ultimately prosecute him in court as a deterrent to others,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Dahiru Muhammad, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Zangwan Maje community.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate event. I urge all residents in riverine areas to avoid night journeys, refrain from overloading canoes, and ensure the use of life jackets at all times,” CP Muhammad advised.
Locals described the tragedy as devastating. Mallam Garba Maje, a community elder, remarked, “We are in mourning. These were our daughters and sons. We never imagined such a tragedy would hit our small village.”
Local divers, police personnel, and volunteers continue to search for the missing children as the community mourns its loss.