No fewer than 25 people have been confirmed dead, while 13 others were rescued alive, after a canoe conveying passengers capsized in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The tragic incident occurred when the canoe, carrying a total of 52 passengers, overturned while travelling from Adiyani town in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru LGA of Yobe State.
Preliminary reports indicate that 25 passengers lost their lives in the accident, 13 were rescued, while 14 others remain missing.
Confirming the incident, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Mohammed Goje, said search and rescue operations commenced immediately the incident was reported.
According to him, SEMA deployed search and rescue teams from Bade and Nguru local government areas to the scene to support ongoing efforts by security agencies, emergency responders and local community volunteers.
“So far, 13 passengers have been successfully rescued, while 14 others are still missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security agencies, emergency responders and community volunteers working tirelessly to locate the missing passengers and recover bodies,” Goje said.
He explained that the victims were returning from Adiyani, where they had engaged in fishing, farming and other business activities, when the canoe capsized mid-journey.
Dr. Goje assured that efforts were being intensified to locate the missing passengers and recover the bodies of the deceased, stressing that the agency remains fully committed to the operation until it is concluded.
