The Zamfara Government has confirmed the death of 40 individuals following a boat mishap in Gummi Local Government Area.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the boat, carrying over 40 people, capsized in the Bakin Kasuwa River in the Uban Dawaki community on Sunday.
Sulaiman Idris, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, described the incident as a monumental disaster. He reported that the governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to undertake immediate rescue and recovery operations.
The governor has also instructed the agency to assess the extent of the accident and provide urgent assistance. Additionally, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters has been directed to provide relief materials to the victims and their families.
Governor Lawal has expressed his condolences and assured the state government’s commitment to preventing future occurrences. This tragedy follows a recent flood disaster that devastated over 2000 houses and farmland in the same area.