The family of a 20-year-old pregnant woman and his son, Yusuf Bala, 2 years, have called on the Federal Government and Taraba State government to recover the bodies of the victims who were drowned last Friday, July 25, 2025, at River Namnai in Gasol local government area of the state.
Aisha, who was said to be six months pregnant, lost her life alongside Yusuf in the boat mishap that occurred at the river along the Jalingo-Wukari Highway.
The family expressed displeasure over what it called the lukewarm disposition of government at all levels towards the death of the two victims.
Aside from Aisha and Yusuf, a-40-year-old Bara’tu Bala, and mother of 6 was among the passengers in a boat carrying vehicles and passengers to cross the collapsed Namnai River bridge, resulting in the death of five persons.
The vehicles and luggage belonging to the passengers sank in the river, but only the body of Bara’tu was recovered for burial.
However, counsel to the family and a human rights lawyer, Barr. Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, in a 21-paragraph petition which was copied to LEADERSHIP on Thursday, demanded the recovery of the bodies within 72 hours.
He said the federal and the state government had admitted responsibility for the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge, stating that their failure to live up to their duties contributed to the accident.
“The Minister of State for Regional Development, Barr. Uba Maigeri visited the site of the collapsed bridge, it is on record that he said the federal government was going to commence reconstruction in the next one week. It is also on record that he called on Nigerians to hold the government of President (Bola) Tinubu responsible should anything happen.
“Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas has traveled to the site of the collapsed bridge and promised reconstruction of the bridge which was announced that the contract (was) is awarded to the tune of N19 billion. Now, they have all abandoned the bridge for one year now. It has become a death trap for citizens. Government must provide answers on why the people are missing.
“Despite the emotional, spiritual, and humanitarian urgency of this situation, the official response has been grossly inadequate,” the petition read.
The family therefore issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the some government agencies and authorities for the recovery of the bodies or face lawsuit.
Maihanchi continued, “We, the families and concerned members of the public, are deeply distressed by the continued disappearance of Aisha Rilwanu Maiwada (who was pregnant) and one-year-old Yusuf Badaru Bala, following a tragic drowning incident that occurred days ago. As of today, (Thursday) 31st July 2025, their bodies have not been recovered. The silence, inaction, and poor coordination among government agencies is unacceptable.”
The family called on the Federal Agencies & Authorities, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Gassol Local Government Council to within 72 hours, deploy professional divers and search teams to recover the bodies.
According to the family, the professionals should be mandated to use modern equipment to recover the bodies of the victims.
LEADERSHIP reliably gathered that family members were preparing for funeral prayer in absentia (Salatul Gha’ib) for the deceased persons on Friday in Jalingo.
“Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that their remains may still be found and buried with proper Islamic rites,” Maihanchi wrote.
The family vowed to commence litigation and civil actions against the government should the demand be ignored or unmet after the deadline.
