A heartbreaking boat accident occurred on Thursday evening in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, claiming numerous lives and plunging local communities into mourning. This tragedy marks the third boat mishap in the state within just one month, sparking renewed concerns over safety measures on the region’s waterways.
Aminu Liman Bodinga, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed that emergency personnel have been dispatched to the scene for ongoing search and rescue operations. SEMA is collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to rescue survivors and recover victims.
The boat, reportedly overloaded, capsized mid-river, sending passengers into the water with the exact number of casualties still uncertain. Locals fear the death toll could be substantial given previous mishaps and current rescue challenges.
Repeated boat accidents in Sokoto have highlighted the urgent need for improved safety regulations, availability of life jackets, and modern motorized boats. Residents in riverine communities rely heavily on waterways for transportation and have called on the government to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life.
This latest incident underscores the critical importance of implementing and enforcing safety protocols to protect vulnerable waterway travelers across Sokoto State.