Tragedy struck Sunday evening when a canoe carrying eight Chadian nationals capsized in the river separating Gamboru town in Borno State, Nigeria, and Fotokol in Cameroon, leaving a mother and her two infant daughters feared dead.
The accident happened around 6:30 p.m. as the wooden canoe, paddled by Mamman Nur Abbagana of Kasuwan Katako in Gamboru, overturned midstream.
All eight passengers were thrown into the water.Security sources confirmed the travelers were returning home to N’Djamena, Chad, after a trip to Jos in Plateau State.
Five passengers were rescued alive by local fishermen and other boat operators who rushed to the scene. However, as of Monday morning, 34-year-old Alphosine Makebu Beboroum, her three-year-old daughter Centich Mamajibe, and her ten-month-old daughter Mamajilem Bebaroum remained missing and are feared drowned.
Search-and-rescue efforts involving divers, local volunteers, and security personnel continued into Monday with no recovery of the bodies so far.
Police authorities in Borno State confirmed the immediate arrest of the canoe operator, Mamman Nur Abbagana, for flouting the state government’s directive that makes it compulsory for all canoe and boat operators to provide and enforce the use of life jackets.
The police spokesperson stated that investigations are ongoing and the suspect will face appropriate charges.
The Gamboru-Fotokol river crossing is a vital but hazardous route used daily by thousands of traders and travelers moving between Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad, with fatal canoe accidents occurring regularly due to overloading and lack of safety measures.
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