14 Buried After Wedding Cortege Boat Drowns In Kebbi Tragedy
✍️ By Teju/ February 17, 2026/ 2:18pm
A joyous wedding celebration in Kebbi State turned into profound grief after a crowded boat capsized on a river, resulting in the deaths of 14 people returning from the ceremony, authorities have confirmed.
The tragic incident unfolded in Gumbi village, Yauri Local Government Area, when a passenger boat carrying more than 100 people overturned while heading home after escorting a bride to her husband’s community in Gwarzo village of Ngaski Local Government Area.
According to local officials, 13 women and one child lost their lives when the boat capsized mid-journey on the Niger River. The victims were mourned and buried according to Islamic rites soon after their bodies were recovered.
Reacting to the tragedy, Governor Nasir Idris expressed condolences to the bereaved families, the Yauri Emirate, and residents of the affected communities. He urged them to find solace in their faith, stressing that “nothing happens without the knowledge of our Creator.” The governor’s message was delivered through the Chairman of Yauri Local Government, Abubakar Shu’aibu, at the funeral prayers.
The accident has once again highlighted recurring waterway safety concerns in riverine areas of Kebbi State, where poor infrastructure, overloaded vessels, and limited enforcement of safety standards have contributed to repeated mishaps. Local authorities and community leaders are now calling for improved safety measures to prevent future loss of life.
