No fewer than 25 persons died while 14 others were still missing after a boat capsized along Yobe River in Garbi town, Nguru Local Government of the state.
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Dr Mohammad Goje, Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), disclosed this in a statement in Damaturu yesterday.
He said the incident occurred at about 7:48 pm on January 3, after the victims, who were mainly farmers and traders, boarded the boat in Adiyani town in neighbouring Jigawa.
“The victims were reportedly returning from Adiyani town, where they were engaged in fishing, farming, and other local business activities, when the canoe overturned mid-journey,” Goje said.
The executive secretary, however, said 13 passengers were rescued from the disaster and were receiving treatment in a hospital.
“Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security agencies, emergency responders, and local community volunteers working tirelessly to locate the missing passengers and recover bodies.
“SEMA search and Rescue Team from Bade and Nguru have since been dispatched to support the team on ground,” he said.
Goje said Governor Mai Mala Buni had extended his condolences to the families of the victims and directed YOSEMA to provide medical and logistical support to the rescued victims.
The executive secretary said the governor had emphasized that referral services must be expedited without delay to save lives.
Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement in Dutse.
He said 16 people were earlier reportedly dead while 10 others were rescued, with 14 missing after the canoe capsized in Adiyani village of Guri Local Government of the state.
The PPRO added that the number of casualties later rose to 24.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated the Agency’s Maiduguri Operations Office to deploy an Emergency Response Team (ERT) to support ongoing rescue efforts.
Its Director General, Zubaida Umar, in a statement yesterday, said NEMA team would coordinate with YOSEMA and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the search and rescue operations.
She expressed 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 (LEMC), local divers and community volunteers to support the operation.
She reiterated 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.
“Further updates will be provided as rescue operations progress,” she added.
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