A fresh tragedy struck Sokoto State on Thursday evening as a boat carrying passengers capsized in Shagari Local Government Area, leaving many feared dead.
Local sources confirmed that the incident has plunged surrounding communities into mourning and added to the growing number of water transport disasters in the state.
This latest mishap marks the third boat accident recorded in Sokoto within just one month, raising serious safety concerns.
Officials deploy rescue teams to scene
Confirming the incident, Aminu Liman Bodinga, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said emergency officials have been dispatched to the site for search and rescue.
He explained that SEMA is working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to rescue survivors and recover victims.
Reports indicate the ill-fated boat was carrying several passengers when it suddenly capsized, throwing everyone on board into the river.
Casualty figures remain uncertain
Although the exact number of victims is yet to be confirmed, sources suggest that many lives may have been lost in the accident.
Boat mishaps have become a recurring tragedy in Sokoto, with experts linking them to the absence of motorized boats, poor enforcement of safety standards, and the lack of life jackets.
Residents of riverine communities, who rely heavily on waterways for daily transportation, are once again calling on the authorities to urgently address the recurring loss of lives.
Communities demand lasting solutions
Stakeholders insist that the repeated accidents highlight the urgent need for strict safety regulations, provision of modern boats, and availability of adequate life-saving equipment.
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with federal agencies, is expected to issue an official statement after the ongoing rescue operations.
Meanwhile, families in Shagari and nearby areas are anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones, with grief and tension hanging heavily over the communities.
