A devastating accident struck early Monday morning in Kubo Ward, within Shani Local Government Area of Borno State, when an overloaded canoe carrying farmers across River Kubo capsized. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), North-East office, confirmed that the boat—transporting approximately 20 farmers to their farmlands—swamped due to excessive weight. Rescue teams managed to save 17 individuals, but tragically three farmers lost their lives, their bodies later recovered from the river.
Local government chairman, Abdu Labaki, corroborated NEMA’s account, noting that the accident occurred in the early hours of Monday as the victims were en route to their riverside farms. A resident, Audu Abu, described the incident in sombre terms, stating that over 27 people were aboard the canoe when it overturned, underscoring the urgency of the ongoing search to ensure no other victims remain unaccounted for.
The tragedy underscores the dangerous convergence of recurring seasonal flooding and lax adherence to maritime safety standards. Borno communities, battered by persistent floodwaters that have submerged homes and farmlands, now face heightened risks during river transport. Local authorities have issued warnings urging farmers and boat operators to strictly avoid overloading vessels and to observe safety protocols to prevent further loss of life.
This incident also reflects a troubling pattern in Nigeria’s inland waters. According to Baird Maritime, a similar accident occurred on Monday, August 25, in which 17 of 27 passengers were rescued, three confirmed dead, and several others reported missing. These events are among the third such fatal passenger boat incidents in recent weeks.
