Five people have been rescued, and nine bodies recovered following a boat accident on Sunday in the Mashayar Yandaga River, Gummi Local Area of Zamfara State.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Manzo Ezekiel of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), it was reported that the boat was carrying over 40 passengers, mainly farmers and crew members, when it capsized due to overloading and strong river currents.
The statement was issued after NEMA, in collaboration with its Sokoto Operation Office, Zamfara State Emergency Agency, Gummi Local Government authorities, community leaders, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders, assessed the situation.
Local divers and fishermen, who were mobilized for the rescue effort, managed to save five people alive.
NEMA confirmed that nine bodies have been recovered, and search and rescue operations are still ongoing, as several passengers, including men, women, and children, remain missing.
Communities downstream along the river have been alerted to be on the lookout for bodies that may float to their locations.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, expressed her condolences to the government and people of Zamfara State and urged boat operators to follow safety guidelines in their operations.