The death toll from a tragic boat accident in Yobe State has increased to 29, according to the latest official figures released on Monday, January 5, 2026. The vessel, which was carrying 52 people, capsized on Saturday along the Yobe/Kumadugu River.
Search and Rescue Efforts Conclude
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Mohammed Goje, confirmed the grim update in Nguru. He detailed that after two intensive days of search and rescue operations, the number of fatalities rose from the initial 25 to 29. The boat was on a journey from Adayini town in neighbouring Jigawa State to the Guri community within Nguru Local Council Area of Yobe State.
Of the 23 passengers originally reported missing, only 12 were successfully rescued alive. This leaves 11 individuals still unaccounted for. "Right now we are searching for 11 other victims, who are still missing in the river that flows into Lake Chad in Borno State," Goje stated, highlighting the challenging nature of the recovery efforts along the vast waterway.
State Support and Governor's Directives
In response to the disaster, Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the release of N500,000 to assist with the burial expenses of the 29 deceased victims, who were primarily farmers and traders. Furthermore, the 12 survivors are set to receive immediate relief support, including essential food and non-food items.
More significantly, the governor has mandated a major overhaul of water transportation safety protocols across the state. Goje announced a series of strict new regulations, warning that "no operator or firm should sail or paddle on the rivers and streams in the state without wearing life-saving jackets."
New Safety Measures for River Travel
The state government has instituted a curfew for all river operations. "Henceforth, no boats or canoes will be allowed to operate once it is 6:00 p.m. daily," Goje declared. Preliminary findings into the Saturday accident point to two critical factors: overloading of the vessel and poor visibility on the waterways at the time.
Emphasizing the new policy, the SEMA boss stated, "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." This directive aims to prevent future tragedies and enforce a culture of safety among water transport operators and passengers alike.
