13 Drown, 22 Missing as Villagers Flee Gunmen in Zamfara

At least 13 people have drowned and 22 others remain missing in Zamfara State after a boat carrying residents fleeing armed bandits capsized on Friday.

The incident occurred in Birnin Magaji ward when gunmen stormed two rural communities, forcing terrified villagers to rush toward the banks of a nearby river, where a single boat was available for escape. Eyewitnesses said the vessel, which was meant to carry only a handful of passengers, became dangerously overloaded as dozens scrambled to escape the attackers.

Shehu Mohammed, a health worker from Birnin Magaji, told Reuters that members of his family were among the victims.

“My eldest son and two other nieces were among the 13 people who died when the boat was heavily overloaded with people,” he lamented.

Local sources said many of those still missing are women and children. Search efforts by community volunteers were ongoing as of Saturday morning, but hopes are fading given the swift currents of the river.

The tragic accident adds to the toll of violence in Zamfara, a state long plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and deadly raids on farming communities.

Hundreds of residents have been killed or displaced in recent years as heavily armed gangs continue to terrorize rural areas despite ongoing security operations.

Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident, while security forces are said to be combing the area to track down the attackers.