13 drown, 22 missing while escaping bandits attack in Zamfara

At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 22 others remain missing after a boat capsized in Zamfara State as residents attempted to flee a bandits’ attack, Reuters reported on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday in Birnin Magaji ward, where armed men stormed two communities, forcing terrified villagers to rush toward a nearby riverbank. With only one boat available, dozens crowded on board in desperation, leading to the tragedy.

“My eldest son and two other nieces were among the 13 people who died when the boat was overloaded with terrified people,” said Shehu Mohammed, a local health worker in Birnin Magaji.

Maidamma Dankilo, the district head of Birnin Magaji, confirmed that 22 people were rescued, 13 were dead, while 22 others remained unaccounted for.

The incident comes just days after gunmen killed at least two people and abducted more than 100 others in an attack about 150 kilometres west of Birnin Magaji.

According to SBM Intelligence, Zamfara State recorded 50 mass abductions between July 2024 and June 2025, with at least 1,064 victims.