Following the recent boat capsize in Malamawar Yandutse, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, those who made it out alive are speaking about the terrifying ordeal. A boat carrying approximately 40 people, largely women and children, tipped over while returning from rice fields. Local farmers and fishermen are being credited with saving lives by jumping into the water to rescue passengers.
Seventeen-year-old survivor Anti Haruna recalled the chaos, noting that many believed they would not survive. She was rescued while unconscious, thanks to the swift intervention of nearby villagers. Another survivor, Fatsima, described the struggle of being pinned underwater by her clothing before losing consciousness, only to wake up in the hospital. She expressed that the trauma remains a persistent burden.
Sawaida, another victim of the accident, recounted losing her sight of reality as she slipped beneath the surface, regaining awareness only after reaching Ringim General Hospital. She noted that the memory of the event continues to cause her distress.
The survivors pointed to the boat’s poor state and overcrowding as the primary causes of the incident. They have urged state and federal authorities to build a bridge across the river to ensure safer travel and stop future fatalities. Reports indicate that 23 people were saved while 10 bodies were discovered, with search efforts still ongoing for the missing.
