Blog
Boat Capsizes in Zamfara: 13 Dead, 22 Missing as Residents Flee Bandit Attack
Boat Capsizes in Zamfara: 13 Dead, 22 Missing as Residents Flee Bandit Attack
GUMMI, Zamfara State– A tragic boat accident has claimed at least 13 lives with 22 people still missing after residents of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area attempted to flee a bandit attack on Friday.
The incident occurred when an overloaded boat carrying fleeing villagers capsized in a river near the community. The victims, predominantly women and children from Danmaga, Tungar Maigunya, and Nasarawar Kifi villages, had rushed to the waterway seeking refuge from armed bandits who had earlier attacked their communities.
“My eldest son and two other nieces were among the 13 people who died when the boat was overloaded with terrified people,” Shehu Mohammed, a health worker in Birnin Magaji, told Reuters.
Maidamma Dankilo, the district head of Birnin Magaji, confirmed that 13 bodies had been recovered, 22 people were rescued alive, and 22 others remain unaccounted for. Local divers continue search and rescue operations for the missing persons.
The village head of Nasarawar Kifi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chigari, confirmed the tragedy and described the prevailing atmosphere in affected communities as one of profound grief. He disclosed that among the deceased were eight housewives, three babies, and four youths.
The recovered bodies have been buried in a mass funeral conducted by Liman Yahaya in accordance with Islamic rites.
Eyewitness Malam Bashiru highlighted the recurring nature of such accidents in the area, attributing them to inadequate transportation infrastructure. He called on government authorities and humanitarian organizations to provide additional boats for communities whose livelihoods depend on water transportation.
“The community has continued to lose lives yearly to such accidents due to inadequate transport facilities,” Bashiru said, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
Aliyu Shehu, Head of the Sokoto Field Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident to Channels Television but could not immediately verify the casualty figures.
“We learnt about the tragic incident today. The Zamfara Emergency Management Agency and our team will be visiting there tomorrow, because we can’t confirm the exact number of victims yet,” Shehu stated.
He explained that the incident occurred in a village outside Gummi town, necessitating an on-site assessment to determine the precise scope of the tragedy and coordinate relief efforts.
A joint team from NEMA and the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) is expected to visit the scene to conduct a thorough assessment and provide relief materials to affected families.
The incident underscores the double jeopardy faced by rural communities in Zamfara State, where residents must navigate both security threats from armed bandits and inadequate infrastructure that compounds emergency situations.