ZAt least 41 persons have lost their lives while 11 others have been rescued following a boat capsizing on the Goronyo River in Sokoto State, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Gorau community in Goronyo Local Government Area, according to NIWA Area Manager in Sokoto, Abdulkadir Yusuf.
Mr Yusuf disclosed that the boat was carrying approximately 82 passengers, including the community leader, en route to a rice farm for harvest when the tragedy struck.
The bodies of the deceased have been buried across various communities, while the 11 survivors have been reunited with their families. Search operations for missing persons are ongoing, the NIWA official added.
Authorities Blame Negligence
Mr Yusuf attributed the disaster to negligence, overloading of the canoe, and flagrant violation of safety regulations.
A multi-agency response team comprising officials from NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Red Cross Society, and local volunteers has been deployed to the scene.
The NIWA area manager reiterated that the authority had consistently engaged riverine communities on safety measures, including the mandatory use of life jackets and adherence to operational guidelines.
Recurring Tragedy
The Sokoto-Rima River has witnessed several fatal boat mishaps in recent years, with incidents reported almost annually in the state.
Authorities have repeatedly warned against overloading and non-compliance with safety protocols, yet enforcement remains a challenge in remote riverine communities.
Efforts to establish the full complement of passengers and the exact circumstances surrounding the capsizing continue as rescue operations proceed.