Tragedy Strikes Zamfara as 13 Drown Fleeing Bandit Attack

At least 13 people lost their lives and over 20 remain missing in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, after a boat carrying locals fleeing an attack by armed men capsized in a river. The incident occurred in Birnin Magaji ward, an area plagued by bandit attacks.

According to local residents and officials, the assailants stormed two communities on Friday afternoon, prompting locals to rush towards a nearby riverbank where a single boat was available. The vessel, severely overloaded, sank, resulting in the tragic loss of life.

Shehu Mohammed, a health worker in Birnin Magaji, recounted the heartbreaking loss of his eldest son and two nieces in the disaster. Maidamma Dankilo, the district head of Birnin Magaji, confirmed that 13 people had been confirmed dead, 22 rescued, and 22 others remain missing.

This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Zamfara State. Last weekend, gunmen killed at least two people and abducted over 100 in an attack 150 km west of Birnin Magaji. A report by SBM Intelligence revealed that Zamfara recorded 50 mass abductions between July 2024 and June 2025, involving 1,064 victims.