A boat accident on the Jole River in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State has claimed six lives, while nine other passengers were rescued alive.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, stated in a post on his X handle that the Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
According to Makama, the incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
The security expert, citing police sources, explained that the boat was conveying 15 people when it capsized midstream.
He disclosed that rescue efforts led to the recovery of nine survivors, while the bodies of six passengers were later pulled 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.
