No fewer than 20 people, mostly Nigerians, have been confirmed dead following a boat accident in Cameroonian territorial waters.
The ill-fated boat reportedly departed from Garoua in Cameroon and was heading to Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, when the incident occurred.
According to sources, the boat was carrying over 50 passengers and was heavily loaded with iron rods and other building materials meant for delivery to Dasin in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Local residents said the boat set off late Monday night despite repeated warnings to delay the journey until morning. The operators reportedly ignored the advice.
The boat later encountered a storm around midnight and capsized. While earlier accounts suggested more than 30 fatalities, about 18 bodies have so far been recovered and buried in Wuro Boki, a community in Fufore. Search operations are still ongoing.
Divers from both Nigeria and Cameroon have continued efforts to recover more victims, while some survivors are receiving treatment in hospitals across border communities in both countries.
When contacted, the Nigeria Police Marine Unit in Adamawa stated that the incident occurred outside Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Despite the tragedy, cross-border trade between Nigeria and Cameroon remains strong, particularly among communities along their shared maritime boundaries.