A boat carrying 10 passengers capsized on the Zindiwa River in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, leaving two people missing and sparking a frantic search and rescue operation. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday around 4:00 p.m. as the boat, an essential lifeline for residents cut off by flooding, attempted to cross the swollen river.
Eyewitnesses reported that the boat capsized in the middle of the river, throwing all 10 passengers into the water. Local rescue teams from a nearby village responded quickly, managing to save seven passengers. However, the fate of two individuals, identified as Yakubu Tela, 57, and Jamilu Kabiru, 22, remains unknown as the search continues.
The boat was reportedly being used as an alternative mode of transportation after severe flooding rendered the main road impassable. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of using overloaded boats in such treacherous conditions.
The Bauchi State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident, stating that a local pilot, Haruna Isah, was operating the boat when it capsized. He said, “On reaching the middle of the river, 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.”
Wakil further disclosed that the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammed, has directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Gamawa to intensify the search efforts. “The search operation is still ongoing, and we will provide further updates as we receive them,” Wakil added.
The cause of the accident is yet to be officially determined, though some eyewitnesses have suggested that overloading might have been a factor. The incident has sparked fresh discussions about the need for improved infrastructure in flood-prone areas, as well as stricter enforcement of safety regulations for water transportation.
As the search for the missing passengers continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for a miracle. This tragedy underscores the broader challenges facing rural communities in Bauchi State, where inadequate infrastructure forces residents to rely on precarious alternatives to meet their daily needs.
For now, the people of Zindiwa and the surrounding areas can only wait and hope that those still missing will be found safe and sound.
