The accident, which happened on a busy waterway, is the third of its kind in the state within just one month, heightening concerns about safety on inland waterways.

Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the State Emergency Management Agency, Aminu Liman Bodinga, said rescue efforts were already underway. He noted that officials from SEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the National Inland Waterways Authority had been mobilised to search for survivors and recover victims.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the overloaded boat suddenly overturned mid-river, throwing passengers into the water. While some managed to swim to safety, many others remain unaccounted for.

Residents have expressed worry over the recurring disasters, calling for urgent government intervention to enforce safety standards and prevent further loss of lives.