Five Dead, 5 Others Missing As Boat Capsizes In Kano State—NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency has stated that people lost their lives after a watercraft carrying 22 passengers capsized in the Baban Kogi River within the Kauran Mata community of Madobi Local Government Area, Kano State.

NEMA via its official X handle on Friday noted that the mishap, which happened on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, occurred as the passengers were returning from their farms.

According to NEMA, the boat was carrying eight women, four children, and ten men when it succumbed to strong water waves and overturned.

The statement noted that rescue efforts by local divers from the community managed to save 12 of the passengers, but five people lost their lives in the accident, as five others remain missing, noting that NEMA the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has been on the scene to assess the situation and coordinate ongoing rescue efforts.

The statement reads, “Following the tragic watercraft mishap incident that occurred on the 21st of August, 2024, in the Baban Kogi River, within the Kauran Mata community of Madobi Local Government Area, Kano State.

“Officials of NEMA Kano Territorial office and SEMA, Kano State, went on a visit to assess the situation.

“The watercraft was said to be carrying 22 passengers on board, 8 women, 4 children and 10 men.
According to eyewitness reports, the passengers were returning from their local farms at a nearby village when the boat succumbed to a strong water flow and subsequently capsized.

“In the Unfortunate incidents, 5 persons lost their lives, 5 are still missing with search and rescue ongoing while 12 were successfully rescued alive by the local divers from the community.”

The incident follows a similar tragedy on the same day in Taraba State, where four women died after a boat capsized in the River Benue.