At least 25 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating boat accident along the border between Yobe and Jigawa states, with 14 others still missing as rescue efforts continue.
The incident occurred at about 7:48 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2025, when an overloaded canoe capsized while ferrying passengers from Adiyani town in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State. Officials said the boat was carrying 52 passengers, far above its safe capacity.
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Mohammed Goje, confirmed that 13 passengers have so far been rescued alive. He said most of the victims were returning to their communities after engaging in fishing, farming, and other local business activities in Adiyani.
A coordinated search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving SEMA teams from Bade and Nguru, security agencies, emergency responders, and community volunteers. Efforts are currently focused on locating the missing persons and recovering the bodies of those feared drowned.
“The agency remains fully committed to the operation until it is concluded,” Dr. Goje said, adding that search efforts have been intensified.
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, described the incident as painful and distressing, expressing sympathy to the families of the victims and the affected communities in Nguru and Guri local government areas.
The governor directed that immediate medical and logistical support be provided to survivors receiving treatment, stressing the need for prompt referral services to save lives.
The Yobe State Government has assured the public of its continued support for affected families and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a thorough and sustained rescue operation.
