Sokoto State has recorded another fatal boat mishap, the third this month, with two persons confirmed dead and nine others rescued by emergency workers.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Jaranja River in Shagari Local Government Area, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr. Bala Bello, said.
He confirmed that two persons lost their lives while nine survivors were rescued.
Bello attributed the accident to negligence, overloading of canoes, and violation of safety rules.
He explained that a rescue team comprising officials from NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Red Cross Society was deployed to the scene.
According to him, the team confirmed the casualty figures, while search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate missing persons.
Bello added that NIWA had been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, including the use of life jackets and adherence to water transport guidelines.
It will be recalled that on August 17, the Sokoto State Government confirmed the death of four passengers, with 41 survivors and five others missing, in a boat mishap at Kojiyo Village in Goronyo Local Government Area.
Another incident occurred on August 22 at Faji Community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, making Friday’s tragedy the third in the state within a month.
Speaking at the scene, the NEMA Head of Rescue and Rehabilitation, Malam Tukur Abubakar, said search and rescue operations were ongoing to recover the missing passenger.
A resident, Malam Abubakar Jabbi from La, said nine persons were rescued by local divers, one body was recovered, while the remains of a female passenger were still being searched for.
NAN
