25 passengers have been declared missing while 26 persons were rescued in the boat mishap that occurred in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office, Aliyu Kafindangi, confirmed this to newsmen.
Kafindangi said the incident occurred on Sunday, adding that the ill-fated boat was carrying 51 passengers, along with goods and motorcycles, when it capsized.
Kafindangi said seven motorcycles were also retrieved from the water, adding that rescue efforts would continue as authorities race against time to locate the missing passengers.
“The rescue operation is ongoing. We have also alerted neighbouring communities to assist in the search for more victims,” the NEMA official said.
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Also speaking, the Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Muhammad Bala, disclosed that the agency had impounded the boat involved in the incident.
Bala urged boat and canoe operators to always adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent future tragedies.
He attributed the cause of the mishap to wind and overloading, emphasising the need for stakeholders to intensify vigilance on canoe and boat operators business.
Bala stated: “The safety of passengers must always be a priority.
“Overloading and ignoring basic safety measures put lives at risk.”
