The number of people killed in the boat accident that happened in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State has risen to 29.
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammad Goje, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday in Damaturu.
Goje said four more bodies were recovered from the river after the state government earlier announced a death toll of 25.
He explained that search and rescue operations were still ongoing, as between eight and 10 passengers were yet to be accounted for.
“Four additional bodies have been recovered from the river, bringing the total number of deaths to 29,” Goje said.
He added that 13 people who sustained injuries during the accident had been treated and discharged from a nearby hospital.
According to him, initial findings showed that overloading and structural problems with the boat were major factors that led to the incident.
“The preliminary report indicates that overloading and structural defects were among the major causes of the accident,” he said.
Goje disclosed that Governor Mai Mala Buni had directed the agency to work with relevant Federal Government bodies to improve safety on inland waterways in the area.
He said the collaboration would help strengthen monitoring of water transport and enforce the use of safety equipment.
“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 News Agency of Nigeria reported that the boat, which departed from Adiyani in Jigawa State, capsized along the Yobe River in Garbi town at about 7:48 pm on Saturday.
More than 50 passengers, mostly farmers and traders, were said to be on board the boat when the accident occurred. The location of the incident is over 230 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
