A boat accident in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Thursday evening has left several passengers dead, throwing communities into mourning.
This is the third boat mishap in the state within just one month, raising fresh concerns over safety on waterways.
Confirming the incident, Aminu Liman Bodinga, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said, “Officials have been dispatched to the accident scene for search and rescue operations.”
He added that SEMA is working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to rescue survivors and recover victims.
According to reports, the overloaded boat capsized mid-river, throwing all passengers into the water. The actual number of casualties remains uncertain, but locals fear many lives have been lost.
Boat accidents have become common in Sokoto.
Residents in riverine areas, who rely heavily on boats for movement are urging authorities to urgently act to stop the repeated loss of lives.
