What You Need to Know
A boat capsizing in Yobe State, Nigeria, has resulted in at least 25 fatalities and 14 individuals reported missing. The incident occurred when the vessel, carrying 52 passengers, overturned while traveling from Jigawa to Yobe. Rescue operations are underway, with local authorities and volunteers involved in the search for the missing.
Africa. At least 25 people have died, and 14 others are still missing following the capsizing of a boat carrying dozens of passengers in Yobe State, northeastern Nigeria.
The incident occurred when the large vessel, which had departed from the village of Adiyani in Jigawa State, was en route to Garbi in Yobe State. The boat was carrying 52 passengers, according to Muhammad Guji, head of the Emergency Management Agency in Yobe State.
Guji stated, “So far, 13 passengers have been rescued alive, and 25 bodies have been recovered. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to find the 14 missing individuals,” adding that emergency teams from neighboring towns joined local volunteers and security agencies at the accident site.
The Jigawa State Police confirmed the incident, stating that the boat capsized due to water leakage. Luwan Adam, a police spokesperson, noted, “It was market day, and the victims were returning home after shopping. If the driver survives, he will be prosecuted for negligence.”
He pointed out the disregard for safety regulations that prohibit night travel and overloading. Babagana Shettima, a resident of Adiyani, mentioned that the victims were from his village and the destination in Yobe State. He added, “When the boat was delayed, relatives reported the incident. They later discovered that the vessel had capsized midway. Divers recovered some bodies.”
Fatal boat accidents are common in Nigeria, where vessels often operate without safety measures. In September, at least 60 people died when an overloaded boat sank after hitting a tree trunk in Niger State, central Nigeria.
Boat accidents are a frequent occurrence in Nigeria, often attributed to inadequate safety measures and overloading. In September, a similar tragedy claimed the lives of at least 60 people when an overloaded boat collided with a tree trunk in Niger State. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding maritime safety regulations and enforcement in the region.
The recent capsizing in Yobe State underscores the urgent need for improved safety protocols for passenger vessels. Local authorities have been criticized for their failure to enforce existing regulations that prohibit night travel and limit passenger capacity, contributing to the high incidence of maritime disasters in Nigeria.
