Sokoto State has been plunged into grief following a fatal boat accident that occurred on Sunday in Kojiyo Ward, Goronyo Local Government Area.
The wooden vessel, carrying dozens of passengers across the river, capsized midway, leading to multiple deaths and leaving several others unaccounted for.
Witnesses said the accident also resulted in the loss of property, with many belongings swept away by the river.
A local resident, who identified himself as Abubakar, told reporters that “many drowned instantly, while some are still missing. Rescue teams are still searching the waters.”
The exact death toll has yet to be confirmed, though villagers described the mood in Kojiyo as sombre and filled with anguish.
READ ALSO: 26 Migrants Dead, Several Missing After Boats Capsize Near Lampedusa
Prayers have been held for the departed, while families of the victims continue to receive visits from sympathisers.
An official from the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who declined to be named, confirmed that both SEMA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have dispatched teams to the scene.
“I can confirm the incident. Rescue operations are ongoing and an official statement will be issued soon,” the official said.
Authorities have promised to provide updates as search efforts intensify, while the community remains in mourning over what many described as “a devastating tragedy.”