A boat mishap in Garin-Faji Village, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, claimed six lives and left three persons missing early Friday morning. The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when a vessel carrying several passengers capsized in a local waterway, throwing the community into mourning.
According to eyewitnesses, the boat overturned midway through the trip, sending passengers into the river. While local divers and rescuers saved 19 people, three others remain missing, fueling concerns that the casualty figure may increase.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said search and rescue operations were still underway.
“Our teams, together with local divers, continue to comb the river to locate the missing individuals,” the agency said.
A joint assessment team comprising officials from SEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Sokoto Operations Office, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Red Cross visited the village to evaluate the disaster and provide support to affected families.
The delegation, led by Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Kafin-Dangi, Head of NEMA Sokoto Operations, met with community leaders, traditional rulers, and relatives of the victims to document eyewitness accounts and offer reassurance.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and community members. We will continue to search for the missing persons and draw lessons from this tragedy to improve safety on our waterways,” Kafin-Dangi said.
Officials emphasised the urgent need for boat operators to strictly follow safety regulations. Hon. Aminu Liman Bodinga, Special Adviser to Sokoto SEMA, noted that enhanced monitoring and compliance are critical to preventing similar incidents in the future.
Community members have actively joined the rescue efforts, providing boats, ropes, and manpower to assist the emergency teams. SEMA announced that a comprehensive joint report on the incident will be released soon, containing recommendations to enhance waterway safety and prevent future accidents.
This latest disaster follows previous boat mishaps in Sokoto, highlighting persistent safety challenges for residents who rely on waterways for transport. Authorities have reiterated the importance of enforcing safety standards to protect lives, particularly in rural communities.
Search and rescue operations continue as teams and volunteers comb the river, hoping to locate the three missing passengers and bring closure to grieving families.
