Tragedy on the River: Yobe Boat Accident Leaves Dozens Dead and Missing
A crowded canoe capsized late on a Saturday evening in northeastern Nigeria, resulting in a devastating Yobe boat accident that killed at least 25 people and left 14 others missing. The vessel, which set off from Adiyani village in neighbouring Jigawa State, was carrying roughly 52 passengers headed for Garbi in Yobe State when it overturned. Emergency responders say the accident happened just before nightfall on a market day, when many passengers were returning home after trading. The sudden disaster has shocked local communities and mobilised search-and-rescue teams across the area.
Rescue crews and local volunteers raced to the scene, recovering 25 bodies so far while pulling 13 survivors from the water. Search-and-rescue operations continued into the following day as authorities worked to locate the 14 people still unaccounted for. Divers and neighbouring town emergency teams joined the effort, and relatives gathered anxiously at riverbanks waiting for news. The scale of the response underlined both the immediate human toll and the logistical challenges of river rescues in the region.
Officials say preliminary investigations point to a leak in the canoe that likely caused it to capsize, and they noted safety rules were flouted ahead of the voyage. Authorities emphasised that night travel and vessel overloading are prohibited but remain common, increasing the risk of fatal incidents like this Yobe boat accident. Police have indicated the boat operator could face prosecution if negligence is proven, stressing enforcement must be strengthened. The statement from law enforcement came as communities demanded accountability and clearer safety oversight.
Residents of Adiyani and the intended destination described frantic scenes after the boat failed to arrive: relatives sounded alarms, searched riverbanks, and watched as divers recovered victims. Witnesses said the market-day timing meant many families were directly affected, with breadwinners among those lost or missing. Local leaders appealed for support for grieving households and for coordinated relief to help displaced families cope. The community response has been immediate but the long-term trauma will require broader social and governmental assistance.
The Yobe boat accident is the latest in a string of deadly river incidents that highlight chronic safety gaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways. Observers and safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of capacity rules, mandatory life jackets, and safer scheduling to prevent night voyages. Improving inspection regimes, deploying more rescue equipment, and investing in public education about water safety could reduce future tragedies. Until such measures are implemented, vulnerable river communities will remain at risk from similar, avoidable disasters.
