10 rescued, over 40 feared dead in Sokoto boat mishap
Sokoto State was plunged into grief on Sunday after a passenger boat capsized in Kojiyo Ward, Goronyo Local Government Area, leaving many feared dead and several others missing.
The boat, which was transporting dozens of residents across the river, went under midway through the journey, resulting in casualties.
An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as as Abubakar, said the tragedy claimed several lives while many passengers remained unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continued late into the day.
Confirming the incident, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office said it has deployed its response team to support ongoing rescue operations.
NEMA said its Director General, Zubaida Umar, immediately activated the agency’s response after receiving reports that a boat conveying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market had capsized.
“As at the time of this report, about 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing. NEMA, in collaboration with local authorities and emergency responders, is intensifying search and rescue operations to locate the missing persons,” it said.
(GUARDIAN)
