At least 15 people have lost their lives while three others remain missing after a boat capsized in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday, August 29, 2025, when villagers fleeing from bandits attempted to cross a river at Nasarawar Kifi in Birnin Tudu ward.
An eyewitness, Malam Bashiru Gago, said that the victims, mostly women and children from Danmaga, Tungar Maigunya, and Nasarawar Kifi, were escaping renewed attacks when the disaster struck.
“The bandits were ransacking our villages, so people rushed to the river for safety. Only one canoe was available, and after two trips, the captain prepared for the third. Out of fear, two women forced themselves onto the boat even though it was already full, and it capsized,” Gago narrated with grief.
He explained that the canoe, which carries a maximum of 16 people, has long been the villagers’ only means of crossing to their farms and businesses. “We bury our people every year because of this river. We need government and wealthy individuals to provide more boats so that our livelihoods don’t keep costing lives,” he lamented.
The village head of Nasarawar Kifi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chigari, confirmed the incident, describing the mood in the affected communities as one of shock and sorrow.
“We were observing Friday prayers when the news reached us. Our local divers worked hard to rescue survivors. Sadly, 15 people died, including eight housewives, three babies, and four youths. Three others are still missing,” he said.
The victims have since been buried in a mass funeral led by Liman Yahaya in accordance with Islamic rites.Reacting, the spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the incident as “tragic and regrettable.”
He said the state government sympathized with the families of the victims, the Gummi Emirate, and the people of Zamfara over the loss.
“The governor has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Services and the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) to support the ongoing search for the missing persons, provide relief materials to survivors, and condole with the bereaved families,” Idris stated.
