Another boat mishap in Sokoto State has claimed lives, with authorities confirming the recovery of a 29-year-old victim’s body while search efforts continue for others still missing.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday in Shagari Local Government Area, marking the third boat accident in the state within just two weeks.
Speaking on the development, Aminu Bodinga, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said:
“Officials of the State Emergency Management Agency have been dispatched to the scene of the accident for search and rescue operations.”
Emergency response teams, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and SEMA, have since joined forces with local divers to recover victims. So far, nine passengers have been rescued alive, while an 80-year-old woman remains unaccounted for.
This latest tragedy adds to a string of fatal waterway accidents in Sokoto. Earlier this month, similar incidents were reported in Kojiyo village, Goronyo LGA, and Garin-Faji village, Sabon Birni LGA.
Authorities have urged residents to prioritise safety when traveling by boat, as communities in riverine areas remain vulnerable to such recurring disasters.
