Canoe accident in Jigawa claims five lives, four rescued

Five persons have been confirmed dead in a canoe accident that occurred in the Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Spokesperson for the police in Jigawa, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse on Monday, adding that four people were rescued.

He said that the incident occurred on Friday at about 7pm, when a locally made canoe conveying nine passengers capsized in a river in the area.

“The incident happened at Martaba village Gwaram LGA of Jigawa State, while the passengers were returning home after attending Juma’at prayer.

“On receiving the report, a team of policemen rushed to the scene where four of the passengers – one Barkeji aged 60 and three others, all of Martaba village were rescued alive.

“And with the aid of local divers, five bodies were recovered, they are; Lukateru, 60, Musa, 50, Sale, 50, Alhaji Shuaibu, 60 and Dogo, 50, all of Darazau  herdsmen settlement camp in Bauchi State,” Shiisu said.

He added that the remains of the deceased had been released to their relatives for burial.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aliyu Tafida, has condoled with the families and relatives of the deceased.

NAN in its report recalled that on August 28, the command also  confirmed the death of two boys in a canoe mishap that occurred at a river in Miga Local Government Area of the state.