At least 25 people have been confirmed dead after a boat carrying 52 passengers capsized in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State. While 13 people were pulled from the water alive by local divers and emergency teams, as of Sunday morning,14 are still unaccounted for.
Most of the victims were local farmers, traders, and fishermen returning from their daily local business activities, from Adiyani in Jigawa State to Garbi in Yobe State.
Governor Mai Mala Buni, described the accident as a monumental loss and ordered the mobilization of resources to support survivors.
It is with a heavy heart that I received the shocking and devastating news of the boat mishap in Nguru… I pray more survivors will be rescued to join their families – Governor Mai Mala Buni
Dawn Herald gathered that the accident occurred at exactly 7:48 pm, when the visibility on the river is near zero, making it difficult for the emergency rescue unit and locals to operate.
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) has deployed specialized teams from Bade and Nguru to collaborate with local fishermen who are using traditional methods to sweep the riverbed for the missing.
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