The d+ath toll from the Yobe State boat mishap has risen to 29, with about 10 bodies still missing, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed.
Executive Secretary Mohammed Goje, speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, said 13 passengers were rescued, and those hospitalized have since been discharged. The rescue operation is ongoing as authorities continue searching for the remaining victims.
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The accident occurred around 7:48 pm on Saturday when a canoe carrying 52 passengers was traveling from Adiyani in Jigawa State to the Garbi community in Yobe. Most of the victims were believed to be fishermen returning to their base.
Goje identified overloading as a likely cause of the tragedy, explaining that the boat was reportedly the last one leaving the community that evening. “The preliminary report indicates the accident was due to overload,” he said, noting that there were no life jackets on board.
Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed SEMA to maintain search and rescue operations and liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Minister of Police Affairs to enhance training for boat operators.
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Goje emphasized the need for institutionalized life jacket use, enforcement of regulations for commercial boat operators, and proper policing of waterfronts to prevent future acc+dents.
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