Gombe State has been thrown into mourning after a tragic boat accident in Nafada town claimed the lives of five teenage girls over the weekend.
The victims were identified as Najib Ibrahim (18), Hauwa’u Dogal (15), Ummati Baraya (16), Umaira Gidado (16), and Amina Jaliya (15).
Confirming the incident, Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed deep sorrow in a condolence message released on Sunday through his media aide, Ismaila Uba-Misilli, describing the deaths as “painful and heart-wrenching.”
“This tragic incident has cut short the lives of promising young people,” Yahaya lamented, sympathising with the bereaved families and the entire Nafada community.
He noted that the loss was not only a devastating blow to the victims’ families but also a great tragedy for the state as a whole.
The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the strength for their families to bear the loss.
Yahaya further stressed the need for strict adherence to water transport safety standards to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
He called on local councils, community leaders, and boat operators to enforce safety protocols across riverine areas, directing the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Nafada Local Government Council to provide immediate support to the affected families.
