At least twenty people, including women, nursing mothers, and children, were reported dead in a boat mishap caused by overloading in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
They died when the boat capsized while trying to flee from an attack by armed bandits who had invaded their community.
The victims are inhabitants of Kali village, Gummi local government area, Zamfara.
Hassan Usman Dauran, The Director, Disaster Management and Control at Zamfara state Emergency Management Agency, ZEMA confirmed the development to TVC NEWS via a Telephone call.
Mr. Dauran said dead bodies were recovered while rescue operation is ongoing.
He stated that the event occurred as villagers attempted to evacuate for safety after reporting a big number of armed bandits on motorcycles with dangerous weapons approaching their communities in broad daylight.
The boat, according to him, was overloaded and capsized in the Birnin Magaji River, resulting in the death of the residents
According to another local source, five bodies were discovered in the Falale River, four in the Birnin Magaji River, and three in the Gadar Gummi River as they attempted to flee to Iyaka village.
Communities in Gummi Local Government area have come under bandits attack lately despite continuous efforts by the government at all level to address the situation
Kwammaka, Kwammaka Jibi, Kwammaka Mai Katsina, Kallin and Kazura villages in Gummi local council suffered the most recent bandits attack which led to the untimely dead of innocent persons.
