Several people are feared dead following a boat accident that occurred on the evening of Thursday, August 28, in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
This marks the third boat mishap in the state within the past month, sparking growing concerns over waterway safety.
Confirming the incident to journalists, Aminu Liman Bodinga, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said a joint team from SEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has begun search and rescue operations.
According to eyewitness accounts, the overloaded boat capsized mid-river, throwing all passengers overboard. Though the official casualty figure is yet to be confirmed, local reports suggest multiple fatalities.
Residents and safety experts have attributed the frequent accidents to inadequate safety protocols, the use of non-motorised boats, and the widespread absence of life jackets for passengers.
