The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its Maiduguri Operations Office to reinforce search and rescue efforts following a deadly boat mishap in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State, which has claimed at least 25 lives.
Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, ordered the immediate deployment of an Emergency Response Team (ERT) to the scene to support ongoing operations being coordinated by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) and other stakeholders.
The incident, which occurred at about 7:48 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, involved a canoe conveying 52 passengers from Adiyani town in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Garbi town in Nguru LGA of Yobe State. The passengers were said to be returning from fishing and farming activities when the canoe capsized midway across the water channel.
As of the time of filing this report, 25 persons have been confirmed dead, while 13 others have been rescued through the combined efforts of emergency responders, local divers and community volunteers. Fourteen passengers are still missing, with intensive search and rescue operations ongoing.
NEMA disclosed that it was alerted to the tragedy by YOSEMA and has since intensified coordination with the state agency, the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), security agencies and community volunteers to locate the missing victims and provide necessary humanitarian support.
Mrs. Umar expressed deep sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to sustaining rescue operations until all missing persons are accounted for.
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She also renewed calls on riverine communities to prioritise safety on inland waterways, cautioning against the overloading of boats and stressing the importance of wearing life jackets and other safety devices during water transportation.
NEMA said further updates would be made available as rescue efforts continue.
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