Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), on Monday, 5 january, 2026 confirmed that death toll from the Saturday’s boat accident in Nguru Local Government Area of the state has risen to 29.
The ill-fated boat, which took off from Adiyani in neighbouring Jigawa, capsized along Yobe River in Garbi town at about 7:48 pm on Saturday, 3 January, 2026.
Over 50 passengers mainly farmers and traders were believed to be on board when the incident occurred in the area, which is over 230 km from Damaturu, the state capital.
The Executive Secretary of YYOSEMA, Dr Mohammad Goje, who confirmed this through a statement issued in Damaturu, the state capital on Monday, 5 January, 2026 also revealed that four additional bodies were recovered from the river.
According to Goje, search and rescue operation would continue as between eight to 10 passengers were still missing, just as he also disclosed that 13 passengers who were injured in the accident had been treated and discharged from a local hospital.
The Executive Secretary of the agency also said that preliminary reports indicated that overloading and structural defect were among the major causes of the accident.
Goje also added that following the unfortunate incident, Gov Mai Mala Buni directed YOSEMA to liaise with relevant Federal Government agencies on safety measures in water transportation in the area.
He said that through such collaboration, policing of water transportation would become possible and the use of life jackets could be enforced.
“Once this is achieved, you can ensure that those that will board a canoe must wear life jackets, and that should be institutionalised,” he said.
