Six people have lost their lives, three remain unaccounted for, while 21 others were rescued after a boat mishap on Friday at Garin-Faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The development was confirmed in a press release on Sunday by Manzo Ezekiel, Head of the Press Unit at the National Emergency Management Agency.
According to the statement, the ill-fated boat had 30 passengers on board.
“Out of this number, 21 survivors were rescued, including two canoe operators. Six bodies were later recovered from the river and buried according to Islamic rites before the arrival of the joint response team.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the three missing persons.
“The National Emergency Management Agency, and the Sokoto Operations Office, responded to the incident on Saturday alongside other stakeholders, including the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross, the Sokoto State Ministry of Works, the member representing Sabon-Birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, as well as officials of the local government council and traditional leaders.
“NEMA has called on relevant regulatory authorities to enforce strict compliance with safety protocols on waterways. This includes ensuring the mandatory use of life jackets by passengers and operators of canoes and boats used for transportation and commercial activities,” the statement said.
The agency further disclosed that its Sokoto Operations Office is keeping close watch on the ongoing rescue mission and will continue to share updates.
The tragedy comes barely a week after another incident in River Goronyo, where a boat carrying over 50 traders to a local market capsized.
About 25 passengers were initially declared missing, though a local councillor, Aminu Bare, confirmed that 25 were eventually found alive.