The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed the rescue of five persons and recovery of nine bodies from the boat accident that occurred on Sunday in Mashayar Yandaga River in Gummi Local Area of Zamfara State.

NEMA said that the boat involved in the incident was conveying over 40 passengers and crewmen when it capsized as a result of overload and high river currents.

In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Head of the Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, the agency, said following the accident, rescuers, who were mostly local divers and fishermen, were mobilized.

While condoling with the government and people of Zamfara State over the incident, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar advised boat operators to adhere to safety measures in the conduct of their activities.

She added that other passengers consisting of men, women, and children were yet to be accounted for.

According to her, communities situated downstream along the river channel have been alerted to look out for bodies that may be floating to their location.

As search and rescue operations continue, NEMA said its Sokoto Operation Office, in conjunction with Zamfara State Emergency Agency, Gummi Local Government authorities, community leaders, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders, are involved in the operation and carried out an assessment of the disaster.