At Least 15 Dead, 3 Missing in Boat Tragedy While Fleeing Bandit Attack in Zamfara

By Kamal Yalwa: August 31, 2025

Gummi, Zamfara State – Tragedy struck over the weekend in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as at least 15 people lost their lives and three others remain missing after an overloaded boat capsized in the Nasarawar Kifi community.

According to eyewitness accounts, the victims were among dozens of residents attempting to flee a bandit attack when their boat overturned while crossing a river near Birnin Tudu ward. The vessel, designed to carry a maximum of 16 passengers, was reportedly carrying far more due to the panic caused by the attack.

Most of the deceased are said to be women and children from the communities of Danmaga, Tungar Maigunya, and Nasarawar Kifi.

Confirming the incident, the village head of Nasarawar Kifi, Alhaji Muhammadu Chigari, described the mood in the area as somber and heartbroken. He noted that among the dead were eight housewives, three toddlers, and four youths. Local divers are still combing the waters in search of the missing persons.

Chigari made a passionate appeal to both federal and state governments for humanitarian support, including the provision of adequate and safe water transport to aid communities whose livelihoods depend on river crossings.

A resident from one of the affected communities, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented the recurring loss of lives due to lack of transport infrastructure, especially during emergencies like bandit raids.

“The boat had already made two trips. It capsized on the third when two women, out of fear, forced themselves onboard, despite the boat being clearly overloaded,” the resident said.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also confirmed the incident through the Head of its Sokoto Field Office, Aliyu Shehu. He stated that NEMA, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), is already mobilizing relief efforts and will visit the site to assess the situation and support affected families.

“We learned about the tragic incident today. Our team, along with ZEMA, will be visiting the community tomorrow to verify details and deliver assistance,” Shehu said.

This latest tragedy echoes a similar incident in August 2024, when 20 people died under comparable circumstances in the same local government area while fleeing a bandit attack.

The deceased have since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.