Tragedy struck in Zamfara State on Sunday when a boat carrying over 40 people capsized in the Bakin Kasuwa River in Uban Dawaki community, Gummi Local Government Area, resulting in the loss of 40 lives.
The Zamfara State Government has confirmed the incident, describing it as a “monumental disaster.”
According to Sulaiman Idris, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to embark on an immediate rescue and recovery operation.
The governor has also instructed SEMA to assess the extent of the accident and provide urgent assistance to those affected.
Idris also disclosed that the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters has been directed to provide immediate relief materials to the victims and their families.
He said Governor Lawal has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for the souls of the departed and assuring the state government’s commitment to preventing such occurrences in the future.
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This incident comes on the heels of a recent flood disaster in the same Local Government Area, which destroyed over 2000 houses, farmlands, and farm produce valued at millions of naira.
He said: “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.”
