The death toll from the tragic boat accident in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State has risen from 25 to 29 following the recovery of more bodies.
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency provided the update, noting that of the 29 bodies recovered, 24 were from Nguru LGA, two from Yusufari LGA and three from Gurin LGA in Jigawa State.
According to the agency, 12 people were rescued and released, three were hospitalized and two have already been discharged, while search and rescue operations for another eight remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has activated the agency’s Maiduguri Operations Office to deploy an Emergency Response Team to support the ongoing rescue efforts following the tragic boat accident.
This was contained in a statement from the agency, which indicated that the NEMA team will coordinate with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen search and rescue operations.
“The Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to continue working closely with Yobe SEMA, the Local Emergency Management Committee, local divers and community volunteers to support the operation,” the statement said.
The Directorate General of NEMA also reiterated its call to riverside communities to prioritize safety by avoiding overloading of ships and ensuring the use of life-saving devices during water transportation.