Sokoto State has been thrown into mourning after ten passengers were confirmed dead and many others declared missing in a boat mishap that occurred on Sunday in Kojiyo Ward, Goronyo Local Government Area.
The ill-fated boat, carrying about 45 passengers, capsized around noon while crossing the river. According to the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), six survivors have been rescued, while search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining victims.
Preliminary findings suggest that overloading may have caused the accident, a recurring factor in similar tragedies across riverine communities in the state.
In a statement, SEMA Special Adviser Aminu Liman Bodinga expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured residents that the state government was working with emergency responders to intensify rescue efforts.
“The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, has deployed response teams to enhance ongoing search operations. We urge community members to adhere strictly to safety regulations and avoid overloading boats,” the statement read.
The agency also pledged to strengthen safety campaigns and work with stakeholders to enforce inland waterways regulations to prevent future incidents.
Local residents described the scene as devastating, with many families still waiting for news of missing loved ones. “This is indeed a great tragedy for our community,” said one resident, Abubakar, as search teams continued their operations.
Both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and SEMA have mobilised teams to the site, and officials have promised to provide further updates as rescue efforts progress.
