A routine river crossing turned tragic on Sunday evening in Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State, after a canoe carrying eight travellers toppled midstream, leaving three people feared dead.
Information obtained by Zagazola Makama revealed that the mishap occurred around 6:30 p.m. The canoe—reportedly operated by Mamman Nur Abbagana of Kasuwan Katako, Gamboru—lost balance while navigating the river between Nigeria’s Gamboru community and Fotokol in Cameroon, plunging all passengers into the water.
According to security sources, the eight occupants were Chadian nationals who had departed Jos, Plateau State, and were heading to N’Djamena, Chad.
Rescuers managed to save five passengers, though their identities had not been released at the time of reporting.
However, a 34-year-old woman, Alphosine Makebu Beboroum, and her two children—3-year-old Centich Mamajibe and 10-month-old Mamajilem Bebaroum—were unaccounted for and are believed to have drowned. Efforts to recover their bodies and search for additional survivors continued into Monday.
Meanwhile, the police confirmed that the canoe operator has been arrested for allegedly breaching the Borno State Government’s safety rule requiring all canoe and boat operators to provide life jackets for passengers.
The command added that preliminary investigations into the incident are currently underway.
