Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Damaturu, Nigeria — The confirmed death toll from the tragic boat accident in Yobe State has risen to 29, with about ten bodies still missing, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reported Tuesday. The devastating incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, has prompted ongoing search and rescue efforts by state and federal authorities, even as survivors and grieving families come to terms with the loss.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, SEMA Executive Secretary Mohammed Goje provided the updated casualty figures and said 13 passengers were rescued from the wreckage. Those who were hospitalized following the accident have since been discharged, he added, as search teams continue their efforts to locate others believed to have perished.
The tragedy unfolded around 7:48 p.m. on Saturday when a canoe carrying 52 passengers capsized while navigating riverine waters on a journey from Adiyani in neighbouring Jigawa State toward the Garbi community in Yobe State. Eyewitnesses and rescue officials say most of the passengers were fishermen returning to their base at the end of the day.
Preliminary investigations by emergency responders point to overloading as a likely cause of the mishap. Goje explained that the boat was reportedly the last vessel departing the community that evening, and that no life jackets were on board — a factor that may have dramatically increased the loss of life once the accident occurred. “The preliminary report indicates the accident was due to overload,” he said, underscoring the perils of lax safety practices on inland waterways.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from safety advocates and local leaders who highlighted longstanding calls for better regulation of boat operations and enforcement of safety measures. In many parts of northern Nigeria, waterways serve as vital transport links for fishermen and rural communities, but oversight and infrastructure for marine safety remain weak, leaving travellers vulnerable to preventable tragedies.
In response to the incident, Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed SEMA to maintain intensified search and rescue operations, and to coordinate closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy, and the Minister of Police Affairs. The governor’s office said the collaboration seeks not only to maximise recovery efforts but also to enhance training for boat operators and strengthen regulatory oversight of waterborne transport.
Goje stressed the urgent need for institutionalised use of life jackets, calling on authorities to enforce existing maritime safety regulations for commercial and passenger boat operators. He also highlighted the importance of proper policing of waterfront areas to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent similar accidents in the future.
The Yobe boat disaster comes amid concerns over limited marine infrastructure and safety enforcement in Nigeria’s inland waterways, where boats and canoes frequently traverse rivers without formal inspection or safety equipment. The absence of life jackets, poor maintenance of vessels, and overloading are recurrent issues cited by safety experts as factors that elevate the risk of fatal incidents.
Local communities affected by the tragedy have appealed for support in locating missing loved ones and providing relief to families of the deceased. Traditional and community leaders have also urged government agencies to prioritise safety education and emergency preparedness along waterways that are integral to local livelihoods.
The governor’s directive for collaboration with national agencies reflects a growing recognition of the need for a multi-agency response to water transport safety challenges, involving emergency management, maritime authorities, and security services. Officials say the goal is to establish a framework that not only addresses the immediate aftermath of such incidents but also builds long-term capacity to protect lives on Nigeria’s rivers and waterways.
As the search continues, authorities say they remain hopeful of recovering additional victims and providing closure to families. Meanwhile, the broader public conversation sparked by the tragedy is likely to focus attention on gaps in enforcement, the imperative of safety compliance, and the urgent need to prevent future loss of life in similar circumstances.
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