A tragic boat accident occurred on Saturday evening at approximately 7:48 p.m. on the Kumadugu/Yobe River, near the border between Yobe and Jigawa states, resulting in the feared deaths of about 25 passengers and 27 others initially reported missing. The vessel was transporting approximately 52 passengers from Adayini town in Guri Local Council, Jigawa State, to Garbi community in Nguru Local Council, Yobe State, when it capsized. According to Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the incident was primarily attributed to severe overloading and poor visibility conditions on the river.

Immediately following the disaster, a comprehensive search and rescue operation was launched. The operation involved SEMA teams from Bade and Nguru local councils, various security agencies, emergency response teams, and a significant number of community volunteers, including local fishermen. As a result of these efforts, 13 of the 27 initially missing passengers were successfully rescued. However, search efforts are ongoing for the remaining 14 individuals still unaccounted for, with a focus on recovering victims and providing support to survivors. The passengers were reportedly returning from fishing, farming, and other local business activities in the Adiyani border community of Jigawa State.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State described the incident as "painful and distressing" and extended his deepest condolences to the affected families and communities in Nguru and Guri councils. The Governor issued directives for immediate medical and logistical support to be provided to all survivors currently receiving treatment at General Hospital, Nguru, and other regional health facilities. He also stressed the urgent need for expedited referral services to ensure the survival of the affected fishermen and traders. The state government has pledged continuous support for the families of the deceased and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to thorough rescue operations along the river, which ultimately flows into Lake Chad in Borno State.

In response to the tragedy, the Northern States Governors Forum expressed profound sorrow over the boat accident in Yobe State. The forum's chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described the incident as heartbreaking and underscored the critical need for enhanced safety measures in water transportation to prevent future occurrences. The governors urged relevant authorities to promptly review and strictly enforce transportation safety protocols, especially within riverine communities. Furthermore, the forum reaffirmed its dedication to promoting regional stability and pledged ongoing collaboration with federal authorities, security agencies, and emergency services to bolster security architecture and improve emergency response capabilities across the Northern region.