More than 40 people are missing after a boat carrying 50 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto State on Sunday. The boat was en route to Goronyo market, a popular food produce market in the region, when the accident occurred. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 10 people have been rescued so far. Zubaidar Umar, the agency’s head, confirmed the incident in a statement posted on social media platform X.
Authorities are working to locate the missing individuals in a coordinated search and rescue operation. NEMA is collaborating with local officials and emergency responders to comb the area for survivors. The cause of the accident has not yet been disclosed, but boat mishaps are not uncommon in Nigeria, often due to overcrowding, poor maintenance, or harsh weather conditions.
This tragedy follows another deadly boat accident just three weeks ago in Niger State, north-central Nigeria. In that incident, a vessel carrying around 100 passengers capsized, leaving at least 13 dead and dozens missing. The frequent occurrence of such accidents has raised concerns about the safety of water transportation in the country.
Local communities and officials are calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future disasters. Many rural areas in Nigeria rely heavily on boats for transportation, especially in regions with limited road infrastructure. However, the lack of proper oversight continues to put lives at risk, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures.
