Relatives and neighbours do not hold up much hope that the farmers are still alive but they are praying for their corpses to be found so that they can be given a proper burial.

Seven farmers are missing – presumed drowned – after they were swept away in strong currents while trying to cross the Ngadda River in the Jere Local Government Area of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast.

The farmers, all from the Modusulumburi community, were on their way home on Wednesday, August 28, when they were washed away by the swirling water.

Community members and volunteers, although still searching for the missing seven, have given up hope of finding them alive.

Wakil Bulama Ibrahim, the deputy head of Modusulumburi community, told RNI that farmers cross the river to get to their lands because it is the shortest route.

“Many farmers have lands on the other side of the river in Kaula village. There are two ways of getting to the farmlands. The quickest and shortest route is to cross the river on foot or by boat.. But it is dangerous, especially in the wet season because the river often breaks its banks when there has been lots of rain.

“The currents are strong and people get washed away. People cross the river on foot because they cannot afford to pay for a boat ride. But even going by boat is risky. There have been many boats that have capsized. Some of the boats are old and the people who steer them are not always trained. In rough water they lose control of the boat and it capsizes.

“The other way to get to the farmlands is to go through the Dala community, but it takes much longer. It’s a far way to walk. People are impatient so usually the farmers take a chance and cross the river because it is the most direct route. They want to get to their farmlands quickly and so they risk their lives.

“We urge farmers to take the long route because it is much safer.”

Ibrahim said no one knew if the seven missing farmers were dead or alive but, after so many days, he suspected that they had drowned.

“It is sad because we have not even found the corpses. The families are frantic. At least if we find the corpses we can bury them. We are still searching.”

Halima Ibrahim, a resident of the Modusulumburi community, said her son-in-law, the breadwinner of the family, was among the missing farmers.

“On Wednesday at about 7am, he went to the farm after successfully crossing the river but, unfortunately, on his way back he was swept away by the strong current.

“Up till now [Thursday, August 29] we do not know if he drowned or if he is still alive. According to others who survived the crossing, he was swept away in the swirling water.

“Right now, we do not think we will see him alive again. We are praying but every hour our hope diminishes. All we are asking is that his dead body is recovered so that we can arrange a proper burial.

“He was the breadwinner of the family and he always did his best to look after everyone. He has a wife and five children.

“A search team – made up of people from the community and volunteers – is still searching for the missing people. But we have had no positive feedback from them. We hope they will be found safe and alive.

“We are begging the Borno State government to help us search for them. When the corpses are found, we will need assistance to give the farmers a proper burial. We will also need help to support the orphans left behind.”

Afiniki Zakariya said her aunt was one of the missing seven.

“Early on Wednesday, my aunt told me that she was going to her farm to finish planting seeds. She went to the farm with my younger brother. When they finished work on the farm, they jumped into the river to cross over to this side.

“My brother managed to cross over but my aunt disappeared in the water. He said there were strong currents. He tried to find her but the water was swirling. He saw her being carried away and tried to reach her but it happened so fast. Eventually, he was forced to give up because he was scared he might be carried away too. He came home and told us the devastating story.

“So far, my aunt’s body has not been found. Altogether, seven are missing. We do not know if they are dead or alive. But, after so many days, we do not hold out much hope. We pray that their corpses are found so that we can bury them.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO