Five people, including a canoe paddler and a nursing mother, have been rescued following a canoe accident in the Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. However, the search continues for a missing child and six other passengers.
The Madobi Local Government Information Officer, Jamilu Mustapha Yakasai, confirmed the incident, stating that the bodies of four victims—Maryam Jibrin, Yusuf Galinja, Kabiru Muhammad, and Safiyanu Musa—were recovered and buried according to Islamic rites on Wednesday.
Alhaji Muhammad Sani Gora, the interim chairman of the Madobi Local Council, visited the Kauran Mata community to express his condolences. He assured the community that the council would fully support the affected families and provide any necessary assistance during this difficult time.
A local resident, Salisu Adamu Baure, remarked that this was the first time such a tragic accident had occurred in the river, attributing the incident to overloading. He mentioned that the canoe was carrying two bags of rice and a motorcycle in addition to the passengers when the accident happened.
The ward head of Kauran Mata, Ibrahim Lawan, urged the Kano State government and local officials to provide modern speed boats equipped with life jackets to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Kano State Fire Service spokesman, Saminu Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident, noting that Aminu Garba, the councillor representing Kauran Mata Ward, had promptly contacted the state fire service for assistance.