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No fewer than 25 persons died while 14 others are still missing after a boat capsized along the Yobe River in Garbi town, Nguru Local Government Area of the state.
Dr Mohammad Goje, Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), disclosed this in a statement in Damaturu on Sunday.
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 the ground,” he said.
Goje said Gov. 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.
Bandits have again stormed a community in Niger State during which no fewer than 42 persons, including children were said to have been killed while scores were also said to have been abducted.
The incident, which occurred in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state, came less than one month after over 300 pupils, students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were abducted in the same local government areas.
This came as President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack, and ensure they are swiftly brought to justice.
