47 Feared Dead in Sokoto Boat Capsize Tragedy

A tragic boat mishap occurred in Gorau town, Goronyo local government area of Sokoto, in the early hours of Thursday, resulting in at least 47 people feared dead. A credible source reported that rescue teams have recovered 48 bodies, while the search for survivors continues.

Alhaji Tukur Abubakar, head of the Sokoto Operations Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident, stating that officials were en route to Gorau to assess the situation. Reports indicate that over 70 individuals were on the boat, many of whom were children aged 10 to 15 traveling with farmers to access rice farms.

Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, the Sokoto governorship candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and called for proper identification of victims to assist their families. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety in Nigeria's water transportation, particularly during the rainy season.