5 teenagers die in Gombe State boat mishap

Five teenagers drowned after a boat carrying passengers to a village market capsized on the Nafada River in Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State, on Saturday.
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The victims, whose ages ranged from 15 to 18, were identified after the tragic incident. The victims were identified as Najib Ibrahim, Hauwa’u Jidda Adamu Siddi Dogal, Ummati Haruna Baraya, Umaira Gidado, and Amina Jaliya.
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The boat mishap occurred on the Nafada River, a body of water frequently used by local residents for transportation between communities, particularly to reach market centers. Incidents of boat capsizing are tragically common across the country, which are mostly attributed to overloading, the use of unseaworthy vessels, and a failure by passengers to wear life jackets.
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Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya issued a statement via his spokesperson, Ismaila Uba Misilli, describing the event as heartbreaking and painful.
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The Governor stressed on the systemic safety failures common in Nigerian water transport. He emphasised the need for strict adherence to safety standards in water transportation, urging local councils, operators, and regulatory agencies to observe safety protocols. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been directed by the government to support the bereaved families.
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