Nigeria: One Person Killed, 18 Rescued in Jigawa Boat Accident

The police say one woman is still missing as of Monday morning.

One person has died, and another is missing as a boat carrying traders capsised on Sunday in Jigawa State.

Per the police spokesperson in the state, Lawan Adam, 20 traders were travelling from Kwalgai in Auyo Local Government Area to neighbouring Hadin in Kaugama council when the boat capsised.

Mr Adam said local divers and the police rescued most of the victims after responding swiftly to a report of the accident.

"The rescue team was able to rescue eighteen (18) passengers alive, while two (2) female passengers were still searching", Mr Adam said.

He said one of two missing persons, identified as Habiba Ado,18, of Kwalgai community, was later alive but died at a hospital in Auyo.

The police spokesperson said preliminary findings revealed that the accident was primarily caused by powerful waves and overloading that led to the driver losing control of the canoe.

"Efforts were being intensified to rescue the remaining missing woman while the rescued victims were all rushed to the hospital for medical attention," the police spokesperson said.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.