Canoe Accident Leaves Twenty-Five People Dead in Nigeria

(MENAFN) A catastrophic waterway accident in northern Nigeria has left at least 25 people dead after a passenger canoe overturned during a journey between two states, emergency officials confirmed Sunday.

The disaster unfolded late Saturday evening when the vessel—loaded with 52 passengers—capsized on waters between Adiyani town in Jigawa state's Guri Local Government Area and Garbi in Yobe state's Nguru Local Government Area.

Emergency responders managed to pull 13 survivors from the water, but initial assessments indicate 14 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to authorities.

Mohammed Goje, executive secretary of Yobe State Emergency Agency, told media the passengers were traveling for work-related purposes when tragedy struck. "The victims had gone for fishing, farming, and other local business activities, when the canoe overturned mid-journey," Goje stated.

Goje confirmed his agency's active response to the crisis: "The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency can confirm the unfortunate canoe mishap that occurred along the Nguru waterway. Our search and rescue teams are still working in collaboration with security agencies and local community volunteers to find those missing."

Recovery operations continue as teams race against time to locate the missing passengers.

MENAFN04012026000045017169ID1110553068