The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat mishap at Faji community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
The boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized in a local water channel, leaving six people dead and three others missing.
The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Friday in Garin-Faji Village in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of the state as residents fled an attack by suspected bandits.
NIWA Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr Bala Bello who confirmed the mishap on Sunday said six persons died, 19 persons were rescued while three people are still missing.
Bello attributed the accident to negligence, canoe overloading and safety rules violation.
He explained that a team of Inspectors, comprising officials from NIWA, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Red Cross Society had visited the affected community.
Bello said the team confirmed the casualties figures while search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the three missing persons.
The Area Manager reiterated that NIWA have been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, guidelines, use of life jackets and other considerations on water usage.
The recent mishap is coming barely six days after four people lost their lives in a similar accident in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state on Aug. 17.
According to Sokoto State Government 41 persons were rescued with five still missing
The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred along the Sokoto Rima River, when the boat conveying the passengers capsized.
