The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday confirmed that 41 people were rescued while four others lost their lives in the recent boat accident in Goronyo, Sokoto State.
In a statement signed by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, the agency explained that the death toll rose after another body was recovered earlier in the day.
He added that the deceased was buried immediately after a funeral prayer conducted according to Islamic rites.
“As part of the Thursday 21st August, 2025 rescue operations, the response team visited four villages: Takuske, Kwakwazu, Bari and Gamiha, where many of the passengers of the ill-fated boat were said to have resided. The visits provided an opportunity to verify the number of persons still missing and to commiserate with families who lost their loved ones. During the visits, it was also confirmed that 16 persons had survived the mishap.
“Following these developments, the multi-agency search and rescue operation has been officially concluded. The operation was jointly conducted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Goronyo Local Government Authority, and community divers,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, commended the rescue team for their diligence and the collective efforts of all stakeholders towards the success of the operation.
Recalled that the tragic boat mishap occurred on Sunday, 17th August 2025, at Kojiyo village area of the Goronyo Dam, Sokoto State.
