At least 46 bodies have been recovered following a boat accident in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the state Police Command has confirmed.
The boat, which was carrying 77 passengers, including men, women and children, reportedly capsized on Thursday.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said 46 corpses had so far been recovered, while 15 passengers were rescued alive.
He said rescue operations were still ongoing as security agencies and emergency responders searched for the remaining 16 passengers.
According to Rufai, the rescue team comprises local divers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and the Police.
“46 corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive. The rescue team, comprising local divers, NEMA, SEMA and the Police, is still searching for the remaining 16 persons,” he said.
Rufai confirmed that 77 people were on board the boat when it capsized.
The tragedy has plunged Gorau community into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting information about relatives who were on the boat.
The latest incident occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
A resident of Gorau, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the accident occurred on Thursday morning, although the casualty figure was initially unclear.
The resident said only a few passengers were initially reported rescued, while several bodies were recovered from the water as local divers and emergency responders intensified the search.
The resident appealed to authorities to strengthen the rescue operation, noting that many families were still waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, a senior NEMA official, who identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, said the agency had mobilised personnel to the community to support the rescue operation.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.
Dan’iya Condemns Tragedy
The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a “devastating tragedy.”
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya said some of the passengers were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15 who were travelling alongside farmers and labourers.
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He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and those still awaiting news of missing relatives.
Dan’iya also commended local divers and residents involved in the rescue operation, while urging the Sokoto State Government and relevant emergency agencies to deploy additional personnel, medical teams and rescue equipment to the affected community.
He called for the proper identification and documentation of victims to enable their families to receive appropriate assistance.
The ADC candidate said the incident underscored the need for safer transportation systems for farming communities located around waterways.
“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for safer means of transportation for our farming communities. No farmer should have to risk his or her life simply to access a farm and provide food for the family,” he said.
Dan’iya called for a comprehensive assessment of waterways across the state, the provision and regulation of boats and life jackets, training for boat operators, improved emergency response equipment and the construction of bridges or alternative crossings where necessary.
He said the safety and welfare of rural communities should remain a fundamental responsibility of government, particularly for residents travelling to farms to produce food and support their families.
He pledged that an ADC administration in Sokoto would prioritise rural infrastructure, agricultural development and community safety.
Dan’iya extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, the Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area and the people of Sokoto State.
He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as the search for the missing passengers continues.