On Thursday evening, tragedy struck in Sokoto State once again. The people of Shagari Local Government Area were thrown into deep sorrow after another boat accident happened on the river. Many passengers who were on board are feared to have died.
This sad event is the third boat accident in Sokoto State within just one month, leaving many residents worried and heartbroken.
On Friday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Aminu Liman Bodinga, confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement. According to him, rescue workers from SEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have already started search and rescue operations in order to find survivors and recover the bodies of victims.
Eyewitnesses explained that the boat was carrying a large number of passengers when it suddenly capsized in the middle of the river. Everyone on board was thrown into the water. So far, the exact number of people who lost their lives has not yet been confirmed, but local sources believe that many passengers may not have survived.
Community members and experts have pointed out that these accidents keep happening because of poor safety practices. Most boats in the area are not motorised, passengers usually travel without life jackets, and there are no strict rules to ensure safety on the waterways.
Because of this, residents are calling on the government to act quickly. They want better safety rules, modern boats, and proper equipment to prevent more tragedies in the future.
For now, the Sokoto State Government has said it will release an official statement after the rescue operations are completed.
Meanwhile, in Shagari town and nearby communities, the mood remains heavy with grief. Families are anxiously waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, praying that some might still be found alive.
