A canoe accident in Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State, on Sunday evening left three people feared dead and five others rescued after the vessel capsized while crossing the river between Nigeria’s Gamboru town and Fotokol in Cameroon.
The incident was contained in a post shared on X on Monday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.
According to the post, the canoe, operated by Mamman Nur Abbagana of Kasuwan Katako, Gamboru, overturned around 6:30 p.m., throwing all eight passengers into the water.
“All the travellers were Chadian nationals who were reportedly returning from Jos, Plateau State, and heading to N’Djamena, Chad Republic,” Makama wrote.
Five of the passengers were rescued alive, though their identities had not been confirmed as of the time of the report.
However, a woman identified as 34-year-old Alphosine Makebu Beboroum and her two daughters, 3-year-old Centich Mamajibe and 10-month-old Mamajilem Bebaroum were feared drowned and had not yet been recovered by Monday morning.
Search and rescue efforts were still ongoing.
Makama also reported that the police arrested the canoe paddler for violating the Borno State Government’s safety directive, which requires all canoe operators to provide life jackets for passengers.
