The Zamfara Government in North West Nigeria has confirmed the death of 40 persons in a boat mishap that happened in Gummi Local Government Area of the state.
A boat carrying more than 40 persons on Sunday capsized in the Bakin Kasuwa River of Uban Dawaki community.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Idris, who confirmed the incident, said the governor described the incident as a monumental disaster.
“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.
“The governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to embark on immediate rescue and recovery of the dead bodies.
“The governor also directed the agency to take immediate action to assess the extent of the accident and provide urgent assistance,” the statement said.
It added that the governor also directed the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters to provide immediate relief materials to the victims and their families.
“Governor Lawal also prays for the souls of the departed victims, grieved with their families, and assured of the state government’s commitment to prevent such occurrence in the future,” Idris said.
Flood disaster recently destroyed over 2000 houses, several farmlands and farm produce valued at millions of naira in the same LGA.
President Bola Tinubu had commiserated with the people and Government of Zamfara State over floods in Gummi Local Government Area and the death of over 40 farmers in a boat accident on their way to their farms at the weekend.
President Tinubu expressed the government and the people of Nigeria’s commiseration over the twin tragedies in the Zamfara community.
He promised support for the victims.
The President directed emergency agencies to comprehensively assess the two incidents to address the root of the calamity.
President Tinubu also directed response agencies to work with the Zamfara State Government to help those affected by the disaster.
