Another Boat mishap in Sokoto leaves many missing

Tragedy struck in Sokoto State following another boat accident in Shagari Local Government Area, leaving several passengers feared missing.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aminu Bodinga, confirmed the incident to journalists on Friday. He said the accident happened on Thursday, adding that officials of SEMA have been deployed to the scene to begin search and rescue efforts.

Bodinga explained that SEMA is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to rescue survivors and recover victims. He revealed that the boat, which was carrying an unspecified number of passengers, capsized, throwing everyone on board into the river.

Although casualty figures remain unclear, locals expressed fears that many passengers might not survive. At the time of filing this report, emergency agencies were still carrying out rescue operations.

This accident comes less than two weeks after another boat mishap in Sokoto claimed at least three lives and left more than 20 people missing. Earlier in June 2025, seven people also lost their lives in a canoe accident while traveling from Gidan Husaini to Gwargawu village in Kambama ward of the same local government area.

The recurring incidents highlight the dangers of water transportation in the region, where many rely on boats and canoes for daily travel.