President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Sokoto State Government to strengthen safety enforcement on inland waterways following Thursday’s deadly boat accident in Gorau, Goronyo Local Government Area.
The August 20 accident occurred when a boat carrying more than 70 people, mostly farmers and farm workers, capsized while traveling to rice farms in the area.
At least 50 people had died by Thursday evening, with the figure rising to 52 by Friday as recovery operations continued.
Most of the victims were children, with about 40 children reportedly among those recovered. Several passengers were rescued, while search efforts continued for others still unaccounted for.
Tinubu issued the directive on Friday, August 21, 2026, after expressing grief over the tragedy and calling for stricter compliance with established waterway safety standards.
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In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President condoled with the bereaved families and the government and people of Sokoto State.
He commended emergency responders and local authorities involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, prayed for the repose of the victims and wished injured survivors a speedy recovery.
The Gorau disaster has again exposed the dangers associated with poorly regulated inland water transport, particularly during the rainy season, when communities across northern Nigeria rely heavily on waterways to reach farms and markets.
The tragedy came less than eight months after another fatal boat accident on the Yobe River. On January 3, 2026, a passenger boat carrying 52 people capsized near Garbi in Yobe State. At least 25 people were initially confirmed dead and 14 others reported missing, while 13 passengers were rescued.
The recurrence of such disasters has kept attention on passenger limits, vessel condition, life-jacket use and enforcement of existing safety regulations.
Tinubu’s latest directive therefore places renewed responsibility on NIWA, NEMA and the Sokoto authorities to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that the waterways do not become recurring scenes of avoidable loss of life.