Tragedy struck on Sunday evening when a canoe conveying eight passengers capsized while crossing the river between Gamboru Ngala in Borno State and Fotokol in Cameroon, leaving three persons feared drowned.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. as the wooden boat, operated by one Mamman Nur Abbagana of Kasuwan Katako in Gamboru, suddenly overturned midstream, throwing all occupants into the river.
Security sources disclosed that all eight passengers were Chadian nationals travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to N’Djamena in the Chad Republic.
Five of the passengers were rescued alive, though their identities had not been confirmed as of press time.
However, a 34-year-old woman, Alphosine Makebu Beboroum, and her two daughters Centich Mamajibe, aged three, and 10-month-old Mamajilem Bebaroum were confirmed missing and presumed drowned. Their bodies had yet to be recovered as of Monday morning.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, police authorities confirmed the arrest of the canoe operator for violating the Borno State Government’s directive mandating the compulsory use of life jackets by boat operators.
The police added that preliminary investigations into the incident are underway.
