The update was provided in a statement issued on Tuesday by NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel.
According to the statement, the latest bodies were retrieved from the river at Kojiyo, Bari, and Wuci communities, through the combined efforts of NEMA, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, and local divers.
With the new development, 22 persons remain missing, while 25 others were earlier confirmed rescued.
The agency also disclosed that its team leader, Aliyu Kafindangi, had secured the support of the Nigerian Air Force Disaster Response Unit (DRU). He briefed the Commander of the 119 Composite Group, Group Captain U.S. Maibuhu, on the incident and urged the DRU to remain on alert.
NEMA added that rescue operations have been aided by dam management measures, which reduced the river’s water level, thereby improving search effectiveness.
The agency assured that the search and rescue efforts would continue and be intensified until all missing persons are accounted for.
