At least 25 people are feared dead following a canoe accident along the Nguru–Guri waterway linking Jigawa and Yobe states on Saturday evening, with several others rescued and some still missing.
According to reports, the incident occurred at about 7pm when a canoe conveying passengers between Adiyani village in Guri local government area of Jigawa State and Garbi village in Nguru LGA of Yobe State capsized mid-journey.
Eyewitnesses said the canoe was carrying between 40 and 52 passengers, most of whom were returning from Adiyani town where they had engaged in fishing, farming and other business activities, when it overturned.
A resident of the area told neqsmen that 16 bodies had so far been recovered, 10 people rescued, while 14 passengers were still missing as rescue efforts continued.
Confirming the incident, the Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, said the accident was reported at about 7pm on Saturday. He said: “The canoe carrying about 40 passengers capsized at Adiyani village of Guri LGA. Sixteen people were confirmed dead, ten rescued, while fourteen are still missing”, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the mishap.
Meanwhile, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also confirmed the tragedy, giving a higher casualty figure based on preliminary findings.
Speaking in an interview, the agency’s Executive Secretary, Mohammed Goje, said the canoe was conveying 52 passengers when it capsized along the Nguru waterway. “So far, 25 bodies have been recovered, 13 passengers rescued and are receiving medical attention, while 14 persons are still unaccounted for”, he stated.
He added that coordinated search and rescue operations were ongoing, involving emergency responders from Nguru and Bade LGAs, security agencies and local community volunteers.
Authorities in both states say rescue efforts are being intensified as divers and local volunteers continue searching the waterway for missing passengers, while survivors are receiving medical and humanitarian support.
