YOLA, Nigeria — A tragic boat accident in Adamawa State is feared to have resulted in the loss of 17 lives, after a boat carrying 23 passengers capsized in Njuwa Lake near Rugange village in Yola South Local Government Area.
The incident occurred just before noon on Friday, September 8, 2023, as locals were heading to Yola town for business.
Witness Faisal Rugange recounted the dreadful moment: “It was raining when the accident happened. A heavy windstorm blew water into the boat, and it capsized instantly.” Rugange communicated the details via phone late on Friday, September 8, 2023.
According to him, only six passengers were rescued by local divers who rushed to the scene.
The Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Mohamed Suleiman, confirmed the incident, stating that one person had died and five had been rescued, but the fate of 17 others remains unknown.
“We’re doing everything we can to locate the missing passengers, but as of now, they are yet to be found,” said Suleiman.
Adamawa Police spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, informed that marine police officers have been deployed to assist in the ongoing rescue operation.
“We can’t yet provide the exact number of passengers in the ill-fated boat as the rescue operation is still in progress,” Nguroje said.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and once again raised concerns about the safety standards of local water transport in the area.
As families anxiously await news of their loved ones, there’s a mounting call for more robust safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The authorities are working tirelessly on the search and rescue operation, but as time passes, hope diminishes for the families of the missing passengers.
