Six Sokoto villagers die in boat accident while running from bandits

Six villagers in Sokoto died in a boat accident while fleeing from bandits, with three others still missing. The tragic incident occurred in the Garin Faji area of the Sabon Birni local government area in Sokoto state early on Thursday.

This marks the second such tragedy in less than a week, following a similar incident in a neighboring area. Residents reported that the villagers attempted to cross the water in a panic upon seeing the bandits approaching, leading to the capsizing of the canoe.

Hon Aminu Boza, a representative in the Sokoto state House Assembly, confirmed the incident, attributing it to the prevailing insecurity that has forced many residents to flee their homes. The state government has deployed armored personnel carriers to assist security forces in the area.

The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other authorities are conducting search operations for the missing persons, with a joint report on the incident expected soon.