The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed deep sorrow over a boat accident that claimed the lives of 29 people and left several others injured in Yobe State, North-East Nigeria
The tragic incident occurred at Garbi town in Nguru Local Government Area of the state.
In a condolence message issued on Monday through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker described the mishap as a devastating loss to the affected families, communities and the nation at large.
“This unfortunate incident has left us all in deep mourning, robbing families of their loved ones and communities of their vibrant members,” Abbas said.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Yobe State, while offering prayers for the deceased and the injured.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed. May Allah also grant quick recovery to the injured and fortify the survivors with strength during this trying time,” the statement read.
Abbas also used the opportunity to renew calls for stricter regulation and enforcement of safety measures on Nigeria’s waterways, noting that many citizens rely on boats as a primary means of transportation, especially in riverine and lake-side communities.
His reaction comes amid recurring reports of deadly boat accidents across the country. In recent years, similar incidents have been recorded in states such as Niger, Kwara, Kebbi, Bayelsa and Lagos, often resulting in the loss of dozens of lives.
Many of the accidents have been attributed to overloading, poor vessel maintenance, night travel, lack of life jackets and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
Despite repeated warnings and campaigns by government officials and safety agencies, boat mishaps continue to pose serious risks, particularly in rural areas where alternative transport options are limited.
The Speaker stressed the need for sustained collaboration between relevant authorities and local communities to improve safety standards on inland waterways, warning that preventable tragedies must no longer be allowed to persist.
