The death toll from the boat mishap in Yobe State has risen to 29, with about eight to ten bodies still missing, according to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mohammed Goje, disclosed this on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, noting that search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Goje explained that 29 bodies have so far been recovered and buried in line with their respective religious rites, while 13 passengers were rescued alive. He added that those who sustained injuries and were hospitalised have since been discharged.
“The latest update is that 29 bodies have been recovered and buried. Thirteen people were rescued, and those taken to the hospital have now been discharged. However, we are still searching for the remaining eight to ten bodies believed to be victims of the accident,” he said.
The accident occurred at about 7:48 p.m. on Saturday when a canoe carrying 52 passengers capsized while travelling from Adiyani in Jigawa State to the Garbi community in Yobe State. Most of the passengers were reportedly fishermen returning to their base.
Speaking on the likely cause of the incident, Goje said preliminary findings point to overloading as a major factor. He explained that the boat may have been overloaded because it was the last one leaving the community.
“Our preliminary report indicates that the accident was caused by overloading. It appears the boat was overused and overloaded, possibly because it was the final trip for the day,” he said.
He further noted that although the route had not recorded a similar accident in a long time, poor safety practices may have contributed to the tragedy. Alarmingly, he revealed that none of the passengers had life jackets.
“There was not a single life jacket on the boat,” Goje stated.
The SEMA boss added that Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed the agency to remain on the ground and ensure the continuation of search and rescue efforts. The governor has also instructed SEMA to collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and engage relevant authorities, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Minister of Police Affairs, to improve the training and regulation of boat operators.
Goje emphasised that enforcing the use of life jackets, ensuring compliance with safety regulations by commercial boat operators, and strengthening the policing of waterways would significantly reduce the occurrence of boat accidents in the future.
