Tinubu Mourns Victims of Yola Flood,Niger Boat Tragedy
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep condolences to the families and communities affected by the recent flood disaster in Yola, Adamawa State, and the boat accident in Guni village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President mourned the loss of lives in both incidents and praised the courageous efforts of the emergency response teams from Adamawa and Niger States. He also commended the dedication of local divers, volunteers, and community leaders involved in the ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
President Tinubu acknowledged that flooding is a global issue exacerbated by climate change, but he urged Nigerians to avoid actions that aggravate such disasters. He emphasized that despite awareness campaigns by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), similar incidents continue to occur.
Calling for stronger advocacy on waterway safety, the President urged community leaders and relevant authorities to intensify public education. He also appealed to citizens and entrepreneurs who depend on waterways for their livelihood to strictly follow safety guidelines issued by competent authorities.
To strengthen rescue and relief operations, President Tinubu directed the National Emergency Response Centre and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to collaborate closely with the governments of Adamawa and Niger States to provide timely and comprehensive support.
Tragedy struck over the weekend when severe flooding in parts of Yola claimed five lives and left 55 others injured, as confirmed by NEMA on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that a boat carrying 39 passengers capsized on Saturday near Guni village. The accident resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals—eight women, three men, and two children—while 26 others were rescued.
NSEMA’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Malik Baba Suleiman, confirmed that all 13 bodies were recovered and buried according to Islamic rites. The ill-fated boat, believed to have been overloaded with passengers and goods, was en route to Zumba when it capsized around 11:45 a.m.
Preliminary findings suggest water turbulence and overloading as possible causes, though investigations are still ongoing. The local community remains in mourning, with the identities of the deceased yet to be officially released.