Four Female Passengers Die in Jigawa Boat Capsizing

Four female passengers died after a boat carrying eight people overturned at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State. The accident happened around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the pond, roughly three kilometres from Kwadige Village. The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps confirmed the capsizing in a Thursday statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud. The statement said the vessel was taking eight passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market when it capsized as it crossed the pond. Daily Trust learned that strong winds at the time might have been a factor in the accident. Four passengers died, and the other four were rescued. Those who lost their lives were Hasiya Muazu, 13; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13. The NSCDC said the four victims' bodies were buried in line with Islamic rites. The four survivors were said to have been pulled from the water by farmers working near the pond at the time. Residents of Kwadige and Kuna communities also took part in the rescue and recovery operation, helping those affected by the tragedy. NSCDC State Commandant CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Kwadige community as a whole. He called on residents who rely on waterways for transport to be as careful as possible, especially when strong winds and bad weather occur. The Commandant also advised boat operators and passengers to follow basic water-safety practices and to avoid travelling when weather conditions could put lives at risk. The NSCDC asked communities and boat users to put safety first in order to stop similar tragedies on the state's waterways.