Nigeria TV Info

Tragedy in Zamfara: 13 Dead, 20 Missing as Overloaded Boat Capsizes During Gunmen Attack

At least 13 people have died and more than 20 others remain missing after a boat carrying villagers fleeing armed attacks capsized in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria.

According to Reuters, the tragedy occurred on Friday in Birnin Magaji ward when armed men invaded communities, forcing residents to flee towards a nearby river. In the rush to escape, many boarded a single boat that was severely overcrowded.

“My eldest son and two nieces were among the 13 people who died,” said Shehu Mohammed, a health worker in Birnin Magaji.

“People were panicking and rushed onto the boat. It simply couldn’t hold everyone,” he added.

Local officials say rescue efforts are ongoing, with more than 20 people still unaccounted for. The incident underscores the worsening insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted rural communities, leaving thousands displaced.