Canoe accident in Kano claims 4 lives

Canoe accident in Kano claims 4 lives

A tragic incident in Kauranmata village, located in the Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State, has left four people dead after a canoe they were traveling in capsized.

The accident occurred on Tuesday evening as the victims, along with 12 others, were returning from Karfi town in Kura LGA, where they worked as local rice processors.

Out of the 16 passengers on board, five people, including the canoe driver and a nursing mother, were rescued alive. However, reports indicate that the child of the nursing mother has not been found, and a search and rescue operation is ongoing for the six other missing passengers.

Jamilu Mustapha Yakasai, the information officer for Madobi Local Government, confirmed the recovery and burial of the four victims—Maryam Jibrin, Yusuf Galinja, Kabiru Muhammad, and Safiyanu Musa—according to Islamic rites on Wednesday.

READ ALSO:

• Chinese investors seize Nigeria’s guest houses in London, plan to sell them on eBay
• JUST IN: 10 die in Mogadishu suicide car bombing
• Three suspects arrested in Ikorodu for attempted kidnapping

The interim chairman of Madobi Local Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Gora, visited the Kauranmata community to console the families affected by the tragedy.

He assured the community that the council would provide necessary support during this difficult time. “The council will do everything in its power to support the affected families and ensure all necessary assistance is given,” he stated.

Salisu Adamu Baure, a resident of Kauranmata, expressed shock, noting that it was the first time such a fatal accident had occurred in the river. He attributed the tragedy to overloading, as the canoe was carrying two bags of rice and a motorcycle in addition to the passengers.

In response to the incident, the ward head of Kauranmata, Ibrahim Lawan, called on the Kano State government and local officials to provide modern speed boats equipped with life jackets to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Kano State Fire Service spokesperson, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, adding that the councillor representing Kauranmata Ward, Aminu Garba, had promptly contacted the fire service when the accident happened. The search efforts for the remaining missing passengers continue, with hopes for their recovery.

Canoe accident in Kano claims 4 lives