Another boat carrying 46 passengers capsized in Mashayar Garba Rogo, Bukkuyum town, Zamfara state, resulting in the deaths of four children.
The latest incident occurred around 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, just a week after a boat accident in Gummi Local Government Area claimed over 30 lives.
According to local resident Malam Aliyu Umar Bukkuyum, two of the children’s bodies were recovered, while the other two remain missing. Twelve people are currently unconscious and receiving medical treatment at General Hospital Bukkuyum.
One survivor, Buhari Usman (also known as Messi), reported that the boat had about 50 passengers, mostly children and a few adults, who were traveling across the Zamfara River to their farms. He explained that halfway through the journey, the boat began to behave erratically and capsized despite the boat captains’ attempts to stabilize it.
“I personally rescued 12 children and some adults. We managed to save a good number of the victims, but unfortunately, four died. Two bodies have been recovered, while the other two remain missing,” he said.
The Sole Administrator of Bukkuyum, Hon. Nasiru Muhammad (DG), confirmed the incident, attributing it to overloading, anxiety, and failure to adhere to proper boating procedures.
He noted that the government is providing care for the 12 rescued victims at the hospital and promised to implement measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Search efforts are ongoing to locate the two missing passengers.
