Just two days after 15 persons died in a boat mishap in Rugange village while crossing Njuwa in Yola South Local Government Area, Adamawa State, the state has recorded another boat mishap which occurred at Kwatan Mallam Adamu in Gurin village in Fufore Local Government Area.
The Information Officer, Fufore Local Council, Jingi Abdullahi who confirmed the incident said 11 dead bodies had so far been recovered.
“As of now, local divers have recovered 11 dead bodies,” Abdullahi said.
A resident, Dahiru Gurin said the local boat capsized on Monday afternoon when farmers were hurrying to reach home to escape the expected heavy downpour.
“About 40 passengers including women and children crammed into the boat to get home before today’s heavy downpour.
“Unfortunately midway, strong wind and thunderstorm set in, causing the boat to capsize. Now about 13 persons have not been accounted for.
“A mother who held up her infant on the surface of the water drowned, but the baby was saved by a diver. I think those who were rescued are not more than 20,” Gurin said.
Another resident, Alhaji Adamu Mai-nama said his wife, two children, a sister, and two in-laws were on board the ill-fated boat.
“Only one child of mine was rescued alive, all the rest of my family members have drowned,” Mai-nama said.
Meanwhile, Adamawa state Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has directed enforcement of regulations on operations of inland waterways commercial transportation.
He gave the directive at the palace of the District Head of Gurin, in Fufore Local Government Area following the two incidences of canoe mishap in Rugange village of Yola South local government area on Friday and the second mishap which occurred at Kwatan Mallam Adamu in the Gurin village of Fufore local government area.
Fintiri, who condoled the community over a boat mishap that claimed the lives of farmers on Monday, directed traditional rulers and local government authorities to ensure strict compliance with the regulations across the state.
He said the government will provide life jackets to boat users in Adamawa, saying it will reduce loss of lives.
The Governor advised people against traveling on waterways whenever it is raining to safeguard their lives.
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