5 dead, 15 missing in Jigawa canoe mishap

By HARUNA AHMED, Dutse –

No fewer than 5 persons have lost their lives while 15 others are missing in a canoe mishap that occurred on Thursday in Nahuce in Taura Local Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa State.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to newsmen in Dutse.

He said: “Today, at about 1200hrs, information from a reliable source revealed that a canoe conveying 20 passengers to cross over Gamoda River at Nahuce Village capsized.

“Upon the receipt of the report, a team of policemen, in collaboration with local divers and good Samaritans, raced to the scene for a rescue mission,” Shiisu added.

He gave the identity of the deceased passengers as Abdurra’uf Mohammed, 15, Suleman Ali, 20, Shafiu Mohammed, 25, Ado Nafance, 7, and Alasan Mohmmed, 16, all from of Taura LGA.

According to him, efforts have been intensified to recover the remaining 15 passengers.

Shiisu said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi, had prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.