The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat accident the third in Sokoto State within the month of August at the Jaranja River in Shagari Local Government Area.
The NIWA Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr. Bala Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that two people died in the incident while nine survivors were rescued. He attributed the mishap to negligence, overloading of the canoe, and violations of basic safety rules.
Bello explained that a joint rescue team comprising NIWA officials, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency, and the Red Cross Society was deployed to the scene. The team confirmed the casualty figures while search and rescue operations were ongoing to recover the missing persons.
He stressed that NIWA has continued to sensitize riverine communities on safety measures, including adherence to guidelines and the use of life jackets, to prevent such tragedies.
NAN recalls that on August 17, four people died, 41 were rescued, and five were declared missing after a boat accident in Kojiyo Village, Goronyo Local Government Area. Another mishap occurred on August 22 at Faji Community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, making the Jaranja tragedy the third within the month.
Speaking at the scene, NEMA’s Head of Rescue and Rehabilitation, Tukur Abubakar, confirmed that efforts were ongoing to locate the missing passengers.
A resident, Abubakar Jabbi, said local divers rescued nine passengers, recovered one body, while the body of a female passenger was still missing as of the time of filing this report.
