Dozens of people are feared to have drowned after a boat capsized in Jigawa state, northwestern Nigeria, authorities said. Police spokesman Shi'isu Adam reported that up to 40 people, including women and children, may have drowned when their boat was crossing the river. Six bodies have been recovered so far. Emergency responders, however, provided a lower toll, confirming five deaths with up to 20 still missing, while 15 passengers were rescued.
The accident occurred on Sunday, with initial reports suggesting that the boat was overloaded, contributing to the capsizing. Local authorities are continuing search and rescue operations, while also investigating the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
Boat accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, often due to overloading, poor maintenance, and lack of safety regulations. This incident highlights the ongoing need for improved safety measures and enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.
