By Deborah Nnamdi
The death toll from the recent boat mishap in Yobe State has risen to 29, with rescue teams still searching for about eight to 10 bodies believed to be missing.
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mohammed Goje, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He said search and rescue operations were ongoing, expressing hope that the remaining bodies would be recovered.
“The latest update is that 29 bodies have been recovered and buried according to their respective rites. Thirteen were rescued, and those taken to the hospital have since been discharged,” Goje said. “So far, the challenge is that we are still searching for the remaining eight to 10 bodies, which we presume are part of the boat mishap.”
The accident occurred at about 7:48 p.m. on Saturday when a canoe conveying 52 passengers capsized while travelling from Adiyani in Jigawa State to the Garbi community in Yobe State. Most of the victims were believed to be fishermen returning to their base.
Goje said preliminary findings pointed to overloading as a major cause of the accident, noting that the boat was likely overused and overloaded.
“The preliminary report indicates that the cause of the accident is due to the overload of the boat,” he said, explaining that the canoe was reportedly the last one leaving the community, leading to an excessive number of passengers onboard.
He added that although there had been no recent accidents along the route, factors such as overloading, overuse and the absence of safety measures may have contributed to the tragedy. “Unfortunately, there was no single life jacket on that boat,” he said.
According to Goje, Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed SEMA officials to remain at the scene and ensure the continuation of search and rescue operations. The governor has also ordered collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and engagement with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as well as the Minister of Police Affairs to enhance the training of boat operators.
Goje stressed that enforcing the use of life jackets, ensuring compliance by commercial boat operators and strengthening waterfront policing would significantly reduce the incidence of boat accidents.
