Jigawa canoe tragedy: Survivors recount horror and question bridge as death toll rises

Zainab Abioye

Survivors of the fatal canoeing accident in Ringim local government area of ​​Jigawa State have recounted the terrifying moments they struggled to survive after an overloaded boat carrying about 40 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized while returning from rice farms.

The victims, who narrowly escaped death, told how local fishermen and farmers risked their lives to save drowning passengers, even as they appealed to the federal and Jigawa state governments to build a bridge over the river to avoid recurring tragedies.

The canoe reportedly capsized in Malamawar Yandutse community after becoming unstable in the middle of the river, throwing all passengers into the water.

According to an earlier report, at least 10 people were confirmed dead, while 23 others were rescued alive. Search and rescue operations are still underway to locate passengers believed to be missing.

One of the survivors, 17-year-old Anti Haruna, who was rescued unconscious, said panic set in immediately after the canoe capsized as many passengers did not know how to swim.

He said fishermen and farmers in the area rushed to the scene after hearing desperate cries for help.

“We thought we were all going to die. The canoe suddenly capsized and everyone fell into the river,” he recalled.

“The villagers responded quickly with their canoes. Some of them even jumped into the river to save children and elderly people. Without their courage, many more lives would have been lost.”

Another survivor, Fatsima, who is still receiving treatment after the accident, described the experience as the most traumatic moment of her life.

He explained that they were returning from their rice farms when the canoe suddenly capsized, leaving the passengers struggling to stay afloat.

“My hijab got caught in the canoe and dragged me under the water,” she said.

“I swallowed a lot of water while trying to free myself. I couldn’t breathe and eventually lost consciousness. The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital.”

Fatsima said that although she survived, the emotional scars of the tragedy remain crushing.

“I can’t stop thinking about those who died. The memories of that day continue to haunt me. Surviving has not ended my suffering because the trauma will remain with me for a long time,” he lamented.

Another victim, identified simply as Sawaida, said she believed for a short time that she would never return alive.

“I felt myself being dragged under the water. I lost consciousness and only woke up in Ringim General Hospital,” she said.

“Even now, I still hear the cries of people asking for help. The memories made me live in fear.”

Survivors blamed the tragedy on the canoe’s poor condition and alleged overloading, urging authorities to take urgent measures to improve transportation infrastructure in the river community.

They specifically appealed to the federal and Jigawa state governments to build a bridge over the river, saying residents are forced to rely on unsafe boats during the rainy season.

According to them, the absence of a bridge continued to expose residents, especially farmers, women and children, to avoidable risks when traveling between their communities and farmland.

Rescuers, supported by local volunteers, were still combing the river at the time of filing this report looking for passengers who had not yet been accounted for.

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