By Ebi Kesiena
At least 25 people have been confirmed dead following the capsizing of a passenger boat in northern Nigeria’s Yobe State, while 14 others remain missing, emergency authorities said on Sunday.
The incident occurred along the Yobe River in Garbi town, according to the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA. The boat was reportedly conveying residents returning from a local market, alongside others engaged in fishing and farming activities, when it overturned mid-journey.
SEMA disclosed that the boat was carrying 52 passengers at the time of the accident. Thirteen people were rescued alive, while search efforts continue for those still unaccounted for.
“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,” the agency said in a statement.
Although the exact cause of the accident has not yet been established, officials confirmed that the boat capsized suddenly during the journey.
Boat accidents remain a recurring tragedy across Nigeria, particularly in rural and riverine communities where waterways serve as a primary means of transportation due to poor road infrastructure. Such incidents often claim hundreds of lives annually.
In recent months, similar accidents have occurred across the country. At least 30 passengers were killed in a boat mishap in September, while another 25 lost their lives in a separate incident in July. Authorities have repeatedly linked many of these tragedies to overloading, poor vessel maintenance, and the absence of safety equipment such as life jackets.
Reacting to the incident, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni expressed condolences to the families of the victims and sympathised with affected communities. According to a government update, the governor directed that all necessary medical and logistical support be provided immediately to survivors currently receiving treatment.
