Tragedy struck in Sokoto State on Thursday evening as a passenger boat capsized in Shagari Local Government Area, leaving many feared dead.
The latest accident, which has plunged riverine communities into grief, is the third boat mishap recorded in the state within the past month.
Confirming the incident, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Aminu Liman Bodinga, said rescue teams from SEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have been deployed to the scene.
According to eyewitnesses, the ill-fated boat was carrying several passengers when it overturned, throwing all onboard into the river. Although the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed, local reports indicate that many lives may have been lost.
Boat accidents have become a recurring nightmare in Sokoto, with experts linking the tragedies to poor safety regulations, lack of life jackets, and the use of non-motorized boats.
Residents have continued to call on the authorities to provide safer transportation alternatives, enforce safety standards, and supply adequate life-saving equipment to prevent further loss of lives.
The state government, in collaboration with federal agencies, is expected to issue a formal statement after rescue operations are concluded. For now, the mood in Shagari and nearby communities remains tense as families await updates on missing loved ones.
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