- Boat accident kills 14 people in Yauri, Kebbi State
- Victims were returning from a wedding ceremony
- Majority of the deceased were women
- Governor Nasir Idris attends funeral, urges calm
A tragic boat accident has claimed the lives of 14 people in Kebbi State, after a passenger boat capsized in Yauri Local Government Area, sparking renewed concerns over river transport safety.
The incident occurred at Gumbi village, located in Gumbi Ward of Yauri LGA, after the victims had accompanied a bride to her husband’s home in Gwarzo village, Ngaski Local Government Area.
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The celebrants were reportedly returning home when the overloaded boat capsized, throwing more than 100 passengersinto the river.
Fourteen people — 13 women and one child — lost their lives in the accident, while others were rescued by locals.
Governor Nasir Idris, who attended the funeral prayers, condoled with the families of the deceased, the Yauri Local Government, the emirate council, and residents of the area.
Represented by the Chairman of Yauri Local Government, Abubakar Shu’aibu, the governor urged the affected families to accept the tragedy as the will of God.
“I appeal to you to accept this in good faith, bearing in mind that nothing happens without the knowledge of our Creator,” he said.
“God does what He wants at the time He wants, and nobody has the right to question Him.”
He also prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and asked God to grant them Jannatul Firdaus.
All the victims were buried according to Islamic rites.
The incident adds to a growing list of boat accidents recorded along riverine communities in the area, raising fresh concerns about passenger safety, boat overloading, and the lack of safety measures along riverbanks in Kebbi State.