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

Survivors of a devastating canoe accident in Malamawar Yandutse, Jigawa State, have shared harrowing accounts of their ordeal, describing a moment of profound fear where they believed death was imminent. The overloaded boat overturned mid-river, plunging passengers into the water.

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We believed we were going to die. People from the community quickly came with their canoes and started rescuing victims one after another. Some even dived into the river to save children and elderly people. Without them, the number of deaths would have been much higher.

Miraculously, local fishermen and farmers responded swiftly, launching rescue efforts that saved numerous lives. Survivors credited these community members with preventing a far greater tragedy. "People from the community quickly came with their canoes and started rescuing victims one after another," recounted 17-year-old Anti Haruna, who lost consciousness during the incident. "Some even dived into the river to save children and elderly people. Without them, the number of deaths would have been much higher."

Fatsima, another survivor receiving medical attention, described how her hijab became entangled, trapping her underwater. "I swallowed a lot of water, lost my breath and eventually passed out. The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital," she said, adding that the emotional trauma lingers. Similarly, Sawaida recalled sinking beneath the water before blacking out, only to regain consciousness at the hospital. "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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When the canoe capsized, everyone was trying to save themselves. My hijab got caught and dragged me under the water. 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.

The survivors pointed to the canoe's dilapidated state and excessive passenger load as the primary causes of the accident. They have appealed to the Jigawa State and Federal Governments to construct a bridge over the river, proposing it as a safer alternative for residents, particularly during the rainy season, to prevent future disasters.

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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. 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.