No fewer than 15 persons have reportedly died while three others are missing when a boat capsized in the Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State Northwest Nigeria.
This latest incident was said to have occurred on Friday, 29th August, 2025 when residents of the troubled village were fleeing from bandit attack while attempting to cross the river at Nasarawar Kifi at Birnin Tudun ward.
The village head of Nasarawar Kifi, Muhammadu Chigari, who confirmed the incident said that the victims were eight housewives, three babies, and four youths.
Other eyewitness accounts said the victims, who were mostly women and children from Danmaga, Tungar Maigunya, and Nasarawar Kifi, had run to the river to seek refuge.
The affected boat, which has the capacity to carry 16 passengers, was said to have overturned during its third trip after some women forced themselves onboard despite the fact that the boat was already overloaded with passengers.
The local divers and others are still searching for the missing persons in the river.
The bodies of the fifteen persons have been buried in a mass funeral led by Liman Yahaya, in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Director of Disaster, Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, Hassan Dauran confirmed the incident to AIT News via telephone, but was unable to furnish with statistics of the victims as the agency is still conducting assessment of the situation.
He said they would make the figures of victims available when they complete the assessment on the scene of the incident.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu )
