We thought we would die, Jigawa canoe accident survivors recount ordeal

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Survivors of the canoe accident in Malamawar Yandutse, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, have narrated their terrifying experiences, saying they believed they would not survive after their overloaded boat overturned in the middle of the river.

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The victims also praised local fishermen and farmers who rushed to the scene and rescued many passengers, saying their bravery prevented a higher death toll, according to DailyPost on Thursday.

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One of the survivors, 17-year-old Anti Haruna, said she lost consciousness during the incident and only survived because of the swift response of local residents.

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Haruna explained, “We believed we were going to die. People from the community quickly came with their canoes and started rescuing victims one after another.

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“Some even dived into the river to save children and elderly people. Without them, the number of deaths would have been much higher.”

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Another survivor, simply identified as Fatsima, who is still receiving medical care, said the accident happened without warning while they were heading home from the rice fields.

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She explained that her hijab became entangled in part of the overturned canoe, trapping her underwater.

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Fatsima stated, “When the canoe capsized, everyone was trying to save themselves. My hijab got caught and dragged me under the water.

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“I struggled to free myself but couldn’t. I swallowed a lot of water, lost my breath and eventually passed out. The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital.”

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She said although she escaped with her life, the emotional pain remains difficult to overcome.

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She added, “When I regained consciousness, I was in severe pain. I keep thinking about those who lost their lives. The memories of that day continue to haunt me, and it has been very difficult to recover emotionally.”

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Another victim, Sawaida, also recalled slipping beneath the water before blacking out.

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“I felt myself sinking beneath the water. I thought I was going to die. Everything became dark, and I only came to when I found myself at Ringim General Hospital,” Sawaida stated.

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Despite surviving, she said the trauma has not gone away.

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“I still hear the cries of people calling for help. Those memories remain with me every day, and I don’t think I will ever forget them,” she explained.

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The survivors attributed the tragedy to the poor state of the canoe and alleged that it was carrying more passengers than it could safely accommodate.

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They appealed to the Jigawa State and Federal Governments to construct a bridge across the river, arguing that it would provide a safer alternative for residents and help prevent similar tragedies during the rainy season.

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The accident claimed at least 10 lives, while 23 passengers were rescued. Search efforts are continuing as emergency responders and community volunteers work to locate those still missing.

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Recall that on Sunday, the Jigawa State Police Command announced that a boat conveying more than 40 people, mostly female farmers and labourers, capsised in the state.n

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The police also recovered one body, while 39 other passengers remained missing.

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Meanwhile on Monday, the police rescued twenty-three persons while eight bodies were recovered from Sunday’s boat accident.

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