The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed that six people lost their lives in a boat mishap at Faji community, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
NIWA’s Area Manager in the state, Bala Bello, told journalists on Sunday that 19 passengers were rescued while three others remain missing. He said the incident, which occurred on August 22, was caused by negligence, overloading of the canoe, and violations of safety rules.
According to him, a joint inspection team comprising officials of NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Red Cross visited the community and confirmed the casualty figures. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Bello added that NIWA has continued to sensitise riverine communities on water safety measures, including the use of life jackets and adherence to operational guidelines.
The latest mishap comes just days after a similar accident on August 17 in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area, where the Sokoto State government confirmed the death of four passengers, with 41 survivors and five still missing after a boat capsized on the Sokoto Rima River.