At least 25 people, including farmers and some who had reportedly gone fishing, have been confirmed dead, while 14 others remain missing following a boat accident in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State on Saturday.
According to a report gathered on Sunday, that the boat was carrying approximately 52 passengers travelling from Adiyani town in Guri LGA of Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru LGA when the incident occurred.
The passengers were reportedly returning from Adiyani town, where they had engaged in fishing, farming, and other local commercial activities, before the canoe overturned midway through the journey.
A statement by the National Emergency Management Agency’s Head of Media, Manzo Ezekiel, confirmed on Sunday that about 13 persons had been rescued.
The statement read, “The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, has activated the Agency’s Maiduguri Operations Office to deploy an Emergency Response Team to support ongoing rescue efforts following a tragic boat mishap in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.
“The NEMA team will coordinate with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the search and rescue operations.”
The agency explained that it was alerted to the incident by YOSEMA, noting that “the mishap occurred at approximately 7:48 pm on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, and involved a canoe conveying 52 passengers travelling from Adiyani town in Guri LGA of Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru LGA of Yobe State.
“The passengers were reportedly returning from fishing and farming activities when the canoe capsized midway across the water channel.”
Providing an update on casualties, NEMA said, “As of the time of reporting, 25 persons have been confirmed dead, while 13 persons have been successfully rescued through the combined efforts of emergency responders and community volunteers.”
“Fourteen (14) persons remain missing, and search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
The Director General, Zubaida Umar, “expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased and reaffirmed the commitment of NEMA to continue working closely with Yobe SEMA, the Local Emergency Management Committee, local divers, and community volunteers to support the operation.”
She also cautioned riverine communities, reiterating “her appeal to riverine communities to prioritise safety by avoiding the overloading of boats and ensuring the use of life-saving devices during water transportation.”
NEMA stated that “Further updates will be provided as rescue operations progress.”
This adds to the growing number of boat accidents in Nigeria.
(PUNCH)
