A boat accident was reported on Saturday in the Zindiwa River, located in the Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The accident left three people missing and seven others rescued. Eyewitnesses reported that the boat, carrying 10 passengers, capsized around 4pm as it attempted to cross the river.
The boat was being used as an alternative mode of transportation due to flooding that had cut off the main road, forcing residents to rely on boats to reach their destinations.
A rescue team from a nearby village responded swiftly, managing to save seven passengers.
However, the search continues for the three individuals still unaccounted for.
The cause of the accident remains unclear, though some eyewitnesses suspected that overloading may have played a role in the tragedy.
The police spokesperson in Bauchi, Ahmed Wakil, confirming the incident, said the boat capsized in the middle of the river, adding that two people are still missing while three passengers have been rescued.
“Today, 31st of August 2024, at about 12:1500 hours, a report reaching us by a good Samaritan that about 10:4500 hours, a boat piloted by one Haruna Isah of Wabo village capsized while he was crossing the Zindiwa river with some passengers on board,” the police spokesperson said.
“The passengers on board are Danjuma Ibrahim, 30 years old, Shafiu Alhaji Awale, 40 years old, Salisu Alaramma, 40 years old, Yakubu Tela, 57 years old, and Jamilu Kabiru, 22 years old, all of Zindiwa village.
“On reaching the middle of the river with the canoe, the canoe capsized, and all of them were thrown into the river.
“A search rescue was conducted immediately, and three of them were rescued, while Yakubu Tela and Jamilu Kabiru are still missing in the river.
“On receiving the report, the commissioner of police, Bauchi state command, CP Auwal Musa Muhammed, directed the DPO of Gamawa to move to the scene, and a search operation was conducted.”
Wakil said the search operation is still ongoing, adding that more updates will be shared on the incident.
