Olushola Omogbehin
About 25 farmers are said to have lost their lives and 14 others missing after a boat conveying 52 passengers capsized in the Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State on Saturday.
From eyewitnesses account, the accident which occurred around 7:49 pm involves passengers who were returning from fishing, farming and other local business activities from Adiyani town in the Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru LGA,
According to a statement from the National Emergency Management Agency’s Head of Media, Manzo Ezekiel on Sunday, about 13 persons had been rescued.
“The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, has activated the Agency’s Maiduguri Operations Office to deploy an Emergency Response Team to support ongoing rescue efforts following a tragic boat mishap in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.
“The NEMA team will coordinate with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the search and rescue operations.”
Explaining further, NEMA said as at the time of reporting, 25 persons have been confirmed dead, 13 successfully rescued through the joint efforts of emergency responders and community volunteers while 14 persons are still missing.
Yobe State Governor, Hon Mai Mala Buni, has expressed deep sorrow over the boat mishap
In a message of condolence issued by the director general Press Affairs and Media to Governor Buni, Alh. Mamman Mohamed on Sunday, the governor received the news of the tragedy with a heavy heart, saying that the accident has put many households into grief and mourning.
“It is with deep sadness that I received the shocking and devastating news of the boat mishap in Nguru Local Government Area, which claimed 25 lives, while several others are still missing.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I pray that more survivors will be rescued and reunited with their loved ones,” he said.
Buni directed the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide immediate relief and support to families affected by the mishap and immediate medical attention.
