The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of nine individuals in a tragic boat accident that occurred in Zangon Maje Village, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident, which took place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, around 7:00 p.m., involved a locally made boat transporting 17 passengers, mostly young girls, from Digawa Village in Jahun LGA to Zangon Maje.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, NEMA’s Kano Operations Office said that eight passengers were rescued alive by local divers, while nine others were unfortunately confirmed dead.
“Upon the arrival of the NEMA team at the scene, it was confirmed that eight individuals were rescued alive by local divers, while nine others were unfortunately confirmed dead,” the agency said.
Following the tragedy, NEMA collaborated with the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (JSEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and local government officials to carry out immediate response operations and sensitization efforts within the affected communities.
As part of preventive measures, NIWA donated life jackets to the residents and emphasized the need for strict adherence to water safety regulations.
Boat accidents are a recurring concern in several riverine communities across northern Nigeria, often attributed to overloading, poor weather conditions, lack of safety gear, and the use of substandard vessels.
Authorities have called on communities along inland waterways to prioritize safety precautions and cooperate with regulatory agencies to prevent further loss of lives.
The Jigawa State Government is yet to release an official statement as of press time.
Leave a Reply