A boat carrying 16 passengers has capsized in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The Chairman of Taura local government council, Dr Shuaibu Hambali disclosed this to Radio Nigeria in Dutse, the state capital.

According to him, the incident had happened on Monday evening when the passengers, mostly farmers, loaded in the boat on their way back from their farms in Zangon Maje village.

He said seven people were successfully rescued by the rescue team in the area which began shortly after the incident.

He said, the team also recovered one lifeless body during the search at Yalleman in Kaugama Local Government Area.

Dr. Shuaibu said, the remaining nine people were yet-to-be-found as at time of filing this report.

Radio Nigeria reports that, the identities of the victims are yet to be released, but the incident has since thrown the community into a state of mourning.

The Chairman noted that, the local government council will soon distribute life jackets to passengers.

He also warned river users to observe safety guidelines and avoid overcrowding boats, especially in the evening, during the rainy season, when water levels rise unpredictably.

Dr. Hambali who arrived at the scene following the incident, sympathized with the families of the affected victims

Some of the people interviewed by Radio Nigeria called for urgent government intervention and improved water transport safety measures.