A boat carrying over 35 passengers capsized on River Rima, near the Dundaye axis in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leading to a frantic search and rescue operation.
The tragic incident occurred as the boat, filled with a diverse group of people, including elderly individuals, women, children, and youths, was en route to farmlands on the other side of the river.
As of now, rescue teams have recovered one body from the river, while about 15 survivors managed to swim to safety.
The Nigerian Television Authority, which broke the story, said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local divers were conducting a search for the remaining missing passengers, whose fates are still unknown.
The ill-fated journey took a devastating turn when the boat, reportedly overloaded, lost balance and capsized in the middle of the river.
Eyewitnesses and some of the survivors recounted how the boat began to tilt and eventually overturned, plunging the passengers into the river’s depths.
Rescue efforts were quickly mobilized, with officials from various agencies arriving at the scene to coordinate the operation.
Among those who rushed to the site were Aliyu Shehu Kafidangi, Head of Operations at NEMA’s Sokoto office, Nasiru Garba, Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, and representatives from the Red Cross.
These officials worked to profile the victims and assess the scale of the disaster.
The cause of the accident, as suggested by preliminary investigations, points to the boat being dangerously overloaded.
Canoes and boats are a common mode of transportation in the area, particularly for farmers who rely on them to access their fields across the river.
However, incidents of capsizing are not uncommon, often due to overloading or poor maintenance of the vessels.
This incident has cast a somber mood over the community, with many families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
The authorities have pledged to continue the search until all the missing persons are accounted for, and they are also providing support to the families affected by the tragedy. The Sokoto State government, through its emergency management agencies, has promised to review safety measures in place for water transportation in the region. There
