….’’ No Life Jacket, No ferry’’……..Niger State
While the Nation is mourning the victims of boat accidents in Niger State this week, another similar tragedy happened in Jigawa State, where six children lost their lives, seven were rescued, and two are missing in an unfortunate Boat accident in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The accident occurred on Sunday at about 20:15 hours, when the children (mostly young girls) were returning to their base (Zangwan Maje) from a farm at Jejin Gunka. At least six children have passed on after a canoe carrying the 15 children capsized; seven children were rescued, while two were missing.
The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. CP Dahiru Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police in the State, commiserates with the deceased families and urges residents to adhere to safety regulations when boarding canoes. The Operator of the canoe is still at large.
CP Mohammed further warned against night-time travel and overloading of boats, and emphasised the significance of wearing life vests.
Those who lost their lives were identified as follows: Saima Yusuf, 25; Saiya Abdullahi, 18; Nasiba Yahya, 15; Hare Abdullahi, 12; Halima Ma’azu, 12; and Amina Sule, 11.
It could be recalled that, within the last week, there were reported cases of boats capsizing on Friday night in Gassol Local Government Area, Taraba State’s, resulting in the deaths of at least three people, with several others still missing while on Saturday there was a boat accident at Gumu village in the Shiroro area of Niger state, where at least 25 passengers were feared. Mr. Ibrahim Hussaini, an official with the National Emergency Management Agency, said they have decided that henceforth ‘’No Life Jacket No Ferry’’
Sooth News sympathizes with families of all the victims in the Country and expresses concern over the increasing number of boat accidents across the Country in recent times and calls on the authorities to intensify efforts on regulatory and enforcement of the waterways.
