Three farmers tragically lost their lives on Monday after their boat capsized in Kubo Ward, Shani Local Government Area, Borno State, due to overloading.
Seventeen others were rescued in the incident, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
An electronic message from NEMA’s North-East office confirmed that the accident involved 20 farmers transporting yams to their farms along the river. The NEMA statement, quoting Shani LGA Chairman Abdu Labaki, said:
“The boat capsized due to overloading. Seventeen people were rescued, but three died and their bodies were recovered.”
A local resident, Audu Abu, told PUNCH Metro that the canoe crash occurred in the early hours of Monday, with the boat reportedly carrying over 27 people at the time. Search efforts were ongoing to confirm if any others were missing.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this incident. May Allah grant protection and safety to all,” Abu said.
The tragedy comes amid reports of heavy flooding in Borno State, which has destroyed homes and damaged private property in recent weeks.
Local authorities continue to urge residents to exercise caution when navigating rivers and waterways, especially during periods of flooding.
NEMA has reiterated the importance of adhering to safety regulations for water transport, warning that overloading remains a major risk factor for such accidents.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges for rural communities in northern Nigeria, where reliance on river transport for farming and commerce is high, and safety measures are often overlooked.
