Tragedy struck in Jigawa State as nine persons, mostly young girls, lost their lives in a boat mishap that occurred in Taura Local Government Area on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident in an update released Thursday on its official 𝕏 handle.
According to NEMA’s Kano Operations Office, the victims were travelling in a canoe from Digawa Village in Jahun Local Government Area to Zangon Maje Village in Taura LGA when the boat capsized mid-journey around 7:00 p.m.
A statement titled “NEMA Kano Operations Office Assesses Boat Mishap at Zangon Maje Village, Taura LGA, Jigawa State, 30th July 2025” noted that 17 passengers were onboard at the time of the accident.
“Findings revealed that the tragic incident took place on Sunday, 27th July 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m. The boat, which was carrying 17 passengers, mostly young girls, capsized mid-journey while travelling from Digawa Village in Jahun Local Government Area to Zangon Maje Village, Taura LGA,” the agency stated.
According to NEMA, eight of the passengers were rescued alive by local divers who responded swiftly to the scene. Unfortunately, the remaining nine passengers were confirmed dead.
The agency has since conducted a full assessment of the tragedy alongside officials of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (JSEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and local government representatives.
In response to the incident, NEMA and its partners held a sensitisation session with the affected community, stressing the importance of safety measures when travelling by water, especially the use of life jackets.
“As part of the response efforts, NIWA also donated life jackets to the community,” NEMA added.
The agency reiterated its call for strict adherence to water travel protocols, especially in rural communities where dependence on canoes remains high.
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