The death toll in the capsized boat carrying 52 passengers has risen to 29 after two days of “search and rescue” operations along the Yobe/Kumadugu River in Yobe State. The boat was sailing from Adayini town in Jigawa State to the Guri community of Nguru Local Council Area of Yobe State. Speaking on Monday in Nguru on the outcomes of the search and rescue operations, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mohammed Goje, revealed that the death toll in the Saturday boat mishap along the river has risen from 25 to 29. “Henceforth, no boats or canoes will be allowed to operate once it is 6:00 p.m. daily,” adding that the Saturday boat mishap that killed about 30 passengers and sailors was attributed to overloading and poor visibility on the waterways. “It has become state policy for boat operators to have and strictly wear life-saving jackets while on board any canoe or boat in the state,” declared Goje in Nguru.

Source: The Guardian January 05, 2026 23:46 UTC