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Sokoto Waterway Tragedy: Search Continues for 25 Missing as 26 Rescued from Capsized Vessel
Sokoto Waterway Tragedy: Search Continues for 25 Missing as 26 Rescued from Capsized Vessel
Emergency agencies race against time in massive search operation following Sunday’s boat disaster in Goronyo LGA
A devastating boat accident in Sokoto State’s Goronyo Local Government Area has left 25 passengers missing and sparked an intensive multi-agency rescue operation, with 26 people successfully pulled from the water alive.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the rescue figures as search teams work around the clock to locate the missing passengers from Sunday’s tragedy. The ill-fated vessel was carrying 51 people when it capsized, along with cargo and seven motorcycles—all of which have since been retrieved from the water.
Mr. Aliyu Kafindangi, Head of NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, is personally leading the search efforts and briefed reporters on Monday about the ongoing operation. “The rescue operation is continuing without pause. We have mobilized neighboring communities to join the search for more survivors,” Kafindangi stated.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has taken decisive action by impounding the vessel involved in the accident. Area Manager Muhammad Bala pointed to a deadly combination of strong winds and overloading as the primary causes of the capsizing.
“This tragedy underscores the critical need for strict adherence to waterway safety protocols,” Bala emphasized. “Passenger safety must never be compromised by overloading or cutting corners on basic safety measures.”
The NIWA official called for heightened vigilance among boat and canoe operators across Nigeria’s inland waterways, warning that ignoring capacity limits and weather conditions continues to put lives at unnecessary risk.
The search and rescue operation has brought together multiple agencies and community leaders in a coordinated effort. Teams from NEMA, NIWA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), local government officials, and traditional authorities including the Sarkin Ruwa of both Kojiyo and Goronyo are all participating in the operation.
Local diving specialists have also been recruited to assist in the underwater search efforts as authorities race against time to locate the 25 missing passengers.
The incident highlights ongoing safety challenges on Nigeria’s inland waterways, where overloading and inadequate safety measures continue to contribute to preventable tragedies. As search efforts continue, the focus remains on bringing closure to families while preventing similar disasters in the future.