The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat mishap—the third within the month—in Sokoto State.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Jaranja River in Shagari Local Government Area. NIWA’s Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr. Bala Bello, said two persons lost their lives while nine survivors were rescued.
Bello attributed the accident to negligence, canoe overloading, and violation of safety regulations. He explained that a joint rescue team, comprising officials of NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Red Cross Society, was deployed to the scene.
“The team has so far confirmed two deaths and nine survivors. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to locate the missing persons,” he said.
Bello reiterated that NIWA had been sensitising riverine communities on safety measures, including strict adherence to guidelines, proper use of life jackets, and other precautions on waterways.
The fresh incident adds to a string of recent tragedies on the state’s waterways. On August 17, four people died, 41 were rescued, and five declared missing in a boat mishap at Kojiyo Village in Goronyo Local Government Area. Another accident occurred on August 22 at Faji Community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Speaking at the scene of Friday’s mishap, NEMA’s Head of Rescue and Rehabilitation, Mr. Tukur Abubakar, said operations were still ongoing to locate the missing passenger.
A local resident, Abubakar Jabbi, confirmed that local divers rescued nine persons, recovered one body, while a female passenger remained missing.
