No fewer than 25 people have been confirmed dead, while 14 others remain missing, after a boat capsized on the Yobe River in Garbi town, Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The incident occurred on the evening of January 3, as passengers were returning from Adiyani town in Jigawa State, according to a statement issued on Sunday in Damaturu by the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), Dr. Mohammad Goje.
Dr. Goje said the victims mostly farmers and traders had boarded the boat from Jigawa State when it overturned mid-journey at about 7:48 p.m.
“The victims were reportedly returning from Adiyani town, where they were engaged in fishing, farming, and other local business activities, when the canoe capsized,” he said.
He confirmed that 13 passengers were rescued and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
YOSEMA said search and rescue operations are ongoing, with the support of security agencies, emergency responders, and local community volunteers, as efforts continue to locate missing passengers and recover bodies.
“SEMA search and rescue teams from Bade and Nguru Local Government Areas have been deployed to reinforce operations at the scene,” Goje added.
Meanwhile, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and directed YOSEMA to provide immediate medical and logistical support to survivors.
He also ordered that referral services for injured victims be expedited.
Boat accidents remain a recurring safety concern in riverine communities across northern Nigeria, where water transport is commonly used for economic activities.
Poor safety measures, overcrowding, and limited emergency response capacity have continued to contribute to avoidable loss of lives.