At least, eighteen (18) people were rescued, with one dead and another still unaccounted for as a boat was involved in an accident on Kwalgai river, in Auyo local government area of Jigawa state.
The accident, according to the spokesman of the state Police command, Lawan Adam, happened as 20 traders were travelling from Kwalgai in Auyo Local Government Area of the State to Hadin in Kaugama LGA when their boat capsized.
Adam said, thanks to local divers who responded swiftly, in coordination with local police, 18 of the travelers were rescued. He added that one more is still unaccounted for and they have not called off the search party just yet. He also confirmed the unfortunate passing of one of the travelers.
“The rescue team was able to rescue eighteen (18) passengers alive, while one (1) female passenger is still missing,” Adam said.
“Efforts are being intensified to rescue the remaining missing woman while the rescued victims were all rushed to the hospital for medical attention,” the police spokesman added.
He said the dead victim, identified as 18-year-old Habiba Ado from Kwalgai community, was initially rescued alive but later died at a hospital in Auyo.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the accident was caused by powerful waves and overloading, which led to the boat’s driver losing control.
