Two dead, nine rescued in fresh Sokoto boat accident

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat accident for the third time this month at Jaranja river in the Shagari local government area of Sokoto state.
The NIWA Area Manager in Sokoto State, Bala Bello, said on Friday in Sokoto that two persons died, while nine survivors were rescued.
Mr Bello, who said the incident occurred in the afternoon of Friday, attributed it to negligence, canoe overloading and safety rules violation.
He explained that a rescue team that comprised officials from NIWA, National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross Society had been deployed to the scene.
Mr Bello said the team confirmed the casualty figures while search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the missing persons.
The area manager reiterated that NIWA had been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, guidelines, use of life jackets and other considerations on water usage.
Recall that the Sokoto State Government confirmed the death of four passengers, 41 survivors and five missing persons in a boat accident on August 17 at Kojiyo Village in the Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.
Another incident occurred on August 22, at Faji Community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, while the present incident was the third in the month.
Speaking at the scene, the NEMA Head of Rescue and Rehabilitation, Tukur Abubakar, said search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the missing person.
A resident, Abubakar Jabbi, from La said that nine persons were rescued by divers, one body recovered while the body of a female passenger had yet to be retrieved from the river.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
Stock market gains N652 billion amid sustained buying interest
The gains were driven by NGX Group, Aradel Holdings, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Mc Nicholas, International Breweries and 29 other equities.

Economy
Okonjo-Iweala urges Niger Delta states to establish special economic zones
The WTO chief said the Niger Delta could become Nigeria’s next major industrial hub, alongside Lagos.

Health
Kano govt, partners target 16,000 women as new gender-based violence prevention project takes off
Ms Amina-Abdullahi said the project would address GBV and discrimination against women engaged in agriculture and other economic activities.

Heading 2
Over 300 South Korean workers to sue Trump administration over Georgia immigration raid
About 475 South Koreans were arrested during the raid executed by nearly 500 immigration agents.

Lagos
Lagos assembly passes 2026 appropriation amendment bill
The passage followed consideration of a letter from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu seeking the assembly’s approval to reorder priorities under the 2026 budget.

States
Insecurity: Army to deploy additional troops to Plateau
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the Nigerian Army will deploy additional troops to reinforce security operations in Plateau.





