Death toll in Yobe boat mishap rises to 29

By Nabilu Balarabe

Executive Secretary of Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), Dr Mohammad Goje, has disclosed that death toll from the Saturday’s boat accident in Nguru Local Government Area of the state has risen to 29.

Goje who announced this in a statement in Damaturu on Monday also revealed that four additional bodies were recovered from the river.

He added that search and rescue operation would continue as between eight to 10 passengers were still missing.

Goje said that 13 passengers who were injured in the accident had been treated and discharged from a local hospital.

The executive secretary said that preliminary reports indicated that overloading and structural defect were among the major causes of the accident.

He said 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.

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.

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.(NAN)