Yobe Boat Tragedy: Toll Hits 29 as Search Continues for Missing Passengers

The grim aftermath of the boat mishap in Nguru Local Government Area has seen the death toll rise to 29, following the recovery of four more bodies from the Yobe River. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) confirmed the updated figures on Sunday evening, revealing a heartbreaking cross-border tragedy. Of the victims recovered so far, 24 hailed from Nguru, two from Yusufari, and three were retrieved from the Gurin axis in neighboring Jigawa State.

The disaster struck at approximately 7:48 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, when a wooden canoe carrying 52 passengers capsized mid-journey. Most of the travelers were local farmers, fishermen, and traders returning to Garbi town in Yobe after a day of economic activities in Adiyani, Jigawa State. Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the vessel was severely overloaded, a common but deadly factor in Nigeria’s riverine transportation accidents.

Rescue efforts have been a frantic race against time involving local divers, community volunteers, and state emergency teams. So far, 12 survivors have been successfully rescued and discharged from the hospital, while three others remain under medical supervision. However, the atmosphere in the affected communities remains heavy with anxiety as eight passengers are still unaccounted for, their fates resting with the ongoing search teams combing the murky waters.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has activated the agency’s Maiduguri Operations Office. A specialized Emergency Response Team (ERT) has been deployed to the site to provide technical support and coordinate with YOSEMA to intensify the search. Mrs. Umar expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved families, acknowledging the bravery of the local divers who were the first to respond to the distress calls in the dark.

The tragedy has prompted a renewed and urgent warning from federal authorities regarding water safety. The NEMA chief reiterated her appeal to riverine communities to strictly avoid the dangerous practice of overloading and to prioritize the use of life jackets, even for short distances. Governor Mai Mala Buni has also directed the immediate provision of logistical and medical support to all affected families, emphasizing that no resource should be spared in the effort to save the remaining lives.

As the second week of 2026 begins under a cloud of mourning in Yobe, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the infrastructure and regulatory gaps in inland waterway travel. For now, the focus remains on “ground zero” in Nguru, where search teams will continue their operations at first light Monday. The community waits in silence, hoping for a miracle for the eight still lost to the river.