Six passengers have lost their lives while nine other were rescued on the Jole River in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert with interest in the Lake Chad region, said in a social media post that the Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
Makama disclosed that the mishap happened on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
The security expert, citing police sources, revealed that the boat who had 15 passengers on board capsized midstream.
He maintained that swift actions by rescue efforts led to the recovery of nine survivors, while the bodies of six passengers were eventually saved from the river.
“The deceased have been identified as Dadi Mallam Dotti (30), Mubarak Abdu (21), Bappa Mallam Dotti (20), Adamu Yayagardi (30), and one Madugu (22), all from Badabdi, Funakaye LGA of Gombe State, of the Terawa ethnic group. The sixth victim was Umar Gambo (34), of Zaura Ward, Damban LGA, Bauchi State, of the Karakare ethnic group.
“The boat driver is currently at large, and efforts are ongoing to locate him.
“The police source said that search and recovery operations were conducted in collaboration with local divers and community volunteers.”
