At least 25 people have been confirmed dead and 14 others remain missing after a canoe capsized in Nguru Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State, north-east Nigeria, in one of the deadliest waterway accidents in the area in recent years.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) said the incident occurred at about 7pm on Saturday, when a wooden canoe carrying 52 passengers overturned midway through its journey.
According to the agency, the passengers — mostly farmers and traders returning home after a day’s work — were travelling from Adiyani town in Guri LGA of neighbouring Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru LGA of Yobe State when the boat capsized.
YOSEMA confirmed that 13 passengers were rescued alive, while 14 others are still unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving security agencies, emergency responders and local community volunteers familiar with the river terrain.
The agency said its search and rescue teams from Bade and Nguru LGAs have been deployed to reinforce efforts on the ground, as divers and volunteers continue to comb the river despite fading hopes of finding survivors.
YOSEMA added that Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed that immediate medical and logistical support be provided to survivors receiving treatment in health facilities. He also ordered that referral services be expedited to ensure critically injured victims receive urgent specialist care.
River transport is commonly used in parts of Yobe and Jigawa states, particularly during the rainy season when flooded roads become impassable. However, accidents are frequent due to overcrowding, poor safety standards and the use of ageing or poorly maintained boats.
YOSEMA said further updates would be provided as more information becomes available, while urging residents who rely on waterways for transport to adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent future tragedies.