The Zamfara State Government has officially confirmed the tragic death of 40 individuals following a devastating boat accident in Gummi Local Government Area.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the incident occurred on Sunday when a boat, overloaded with more than 40 passengers, capsized in the Bakin Kasuwa River near the Uban Dawaki community.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Idris, issued a statement confirming the disaster.
Idris reported that the governor described the event as a “monumental disaster.” He conveyed the governor’s deep sorrow and his immediate actions in response.
“We received the tragic report of a boat accident in Bakin Kasuwa River in Uban Dawaki ward, Gummi Local Government Area, resulting in the loss of over 40 lives,” Idris stated.
In response to the incident, Governor Lawal has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to launch an immediate rescue and recovery operation for the deceased.
The agency has also been instructed to assess the extent of the accident and provide urgent assistance to those affected.
Furthermore, the governor has ordered the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters to deliver immediate relief materials to the victims’ families. Idris also relayed Governor Lawal’s heartfelt prayers for the souls of the departed and his commitment to taking steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident comes on the heels of a recent flood disaster in the same local government area, which destroyed over 2,000 homes, numerous farmlands, and significant agricultural produce valued at millions of naira.
