At least 15 people have lost their lives, and three others remain unaccounted for after a boat carrying villagers capsized in the Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The deadly incident occurred on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Nasarawar Kifi in Birnin Tudu ward, where terrified residents were attempting to cross a river to escape ongoing bandit attacks.
Eyewitnesses speaking to correspondents on Sunday said the victims, mostly women and children from Danmaga, Tungar Maigunya, and Nasarawar Kifi communities, rushed to the riverside seeking safety as violence spread through their villages.
The wooden boat, designed to carry only 16 passengers, overturned on its third trip when two women reportedly forced themselves onboard despite the boat already being overloaded.
“It’s heartbreaking; every year we lose our people this way,” said Malam Bashiru, a resident who witnessed the disaster.
“We’ve been begging for proper boats and safer transport, but nothing has been done. Our lives and livelihoods depend on this river.”
The village head of Nasarawar Kifi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chigari, confirmed the deaths, describing the mood in the affected communities as one of deep sorrow.
He disclosed that the victims included eight housewives, three infants, and four young men. Local divers are still combing the river in hopes of finding the missing passengers.
The deceased were buried in a mass funeral on Saturday, with Islamic prayers led by Liman Yahaya.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Sokoto Field Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Aliyu Shehu, confirmed the incident to Channels Television but said official casualty figures were yet to be verified.
“We’ve received reports of this tragic event,” Shehu said.
“Our team, together with the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, will be at the scene to confirm the number of victims and deliver relief materials to the affected families.”
He clarified that the accident did not occur in Gummi town itself but in a nearby village, adding that accurate details would be available after the agency’s visit.
AFRIPOST reports that the tragedy underscores the growing dangers faced by rural communities in Zamfara, where bandit attacks and inadequate transport infrastructure continue to put lives at risk.