No fewer than two passengers have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap while travelling across the Kwalgwai River toward Hadin village in Auyo Local Government area of Jigawa State.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson, Jigawa Police Command, DSP Lawan Shiisu said 18 others were also rescued from the boat mishap.
DSP Shiisu said the incident happened when the victims and marketers boarded the canoe and on their way it capsized due to powerful waves and overloading.
According to him, “at about 2200hrs on Sunday, the command received an incident report by the Divisional Police Officer of Auyo Division, that a group of marketers from Kwalgwai village in Auyo LGA numbered about twenty (20) both males and females boarded a canoe. The canoe was said to have capsized while travelling across the Kwalgwai River toward Hadin village within the same LGA.
“In an attempt to save the victims, divers, fishermen, and good samaritans were swiftly notified as a team of Policemen led by the DPO raced to the scene.
“The rescue team was able to rescue eighteen (18) passengers alive, while two (2) female passengers were missing.
“Subsequently, on 8/07/2024 (Monday) at about 0600hrs, among the two females missing, one Habiba Ado ‘f’ age 18yrs of Kwalgai was recovered. She was quickly conveyed to the Auyo hospital but she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on call.
“Later, the last woman was discovered and found dead. In other words, the death rate has increased to two (2).
“Nevertheless, a preliminary investigation indicated that the accident was primarily caused by powerful waves and overloading to the point where the driver was unable to steer the canoe.
“The rescued victims were all rushed to the hospital for medical attention,” DSP Shiisu, however, stated.
