By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
A Boat accident has occured in Zindiwa River, Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Saturday August 31, according to the State Police Command.
The accident, according to the Police in a statement, left three people missing and seven others rescued.
The Boat. is which is reported to be conveying 10 passengers, capsized around 4 pm as it attempted to cross the river, says the police report.
It also reported that the Boat was being used as an alternative mode of transportation due to flooding which 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 while three are missing.
The police report however says search efforts are being intensified for the three individuals still missing.
The cause of the accident remains unclear, though some eyewitness suspect that overloading may have caused the mishap.
The police spokesperson in Bauchi, Muhammad Ahmad Wakil, confirmed the incident and in a statement issued that 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 hrs, a report reaching us by a good Samaritan that about 10:4500 hrs, 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 Muhammad, 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 communicated to newsmen on the incident
The Krestnews recall that in September 2022, no fewer than five people were killed when the boat they were in capsized at a river in Jama’are town in Jama’are Local Government Area of Bauchi State as a result of a heavy rainfall and windstorm.
The Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Shehu Ningi, told newsmen that in May 2020 about 15 people were killed in a crowded canoe accident at Gwaskaram village, Bauchi Local Government Area