According to a report by The Nation, 16 people lost their lives in the boat mishap in Zamfara, which happened when people from Danmaga village in Birnin Tudu District of Gummi Emirate were fleeing in fear of bandits after they received information that the marauders were on their way to attack the village.

This information was confirmed by a relative of one the victims, Rabi’u,and the Secretary of the Emirate, Alhaji Surajo Zaki.

“What actually transpired is that my community had privileged information that bandits were on their way to attack us, and we tried to flee across the river on an overloaded boat which resulted in the boat mishap,’’ Rabi’u lamented

“Report from the District Head of Birnin Tudu put the figure of passengers onboard at 50, which, in an ideal situation, was supposed to be 25 but due to the fact that the people running for safety from bandits, the boat was loaded. Sixteen bodies were recovered as the rescue team are still searching,’’ Surajo Zaki said.

“Based on the reports the Emirate gathered this Sunday evening from the Acting District Head of Birnin Magaji,14 death bodies were recovered.

Zaki read the letter sent by the District Head of Birnin Tudu to the emirate.

It stated: “I Alhaji Hamza Yusuf the District Head of Birnin Tudu, want to notify our Emirate that on Friday 29/08/2025 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) from Danmaga village under Birnin Magaji District on their way to cross river at Nasarawar Kifi in Birnin Tudu District and they were overloaded and the driver of the boat tried to convince the passengers to reduce the load but he was overwhelmed fear of Bandits attacks and the boat capsized,16 people were dead.’’

Based on information at hand, the Emergency Management Agency are yet to arrive at the village due to poor access.