Authorities report that approximately 10 individuals have been rescued following a maritime incident in northwestern Nigeria.
Rescue teams are actively looking for over 40 individuals who remain unaccounted for after a boat capsizing accident in Sokoto, a state in northwestern Nigeria, as confirmed by local officials.
On Sunday, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) stated that its Sokoto operations unit has dispatched a response team to aid in the ongoing rescue operations following this “heartbreaking maritime accident.”
The director general of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, indicated that the agency took action upon learning that a boat carrying more than 50 passengers headed to Goronyo Market had overturned.
In a social media statement, NEMA reported that approximately 10 passengers were rescued, while more than 40 others are still missing.
According to a report from The Punch newspaper, referencing local officials, the incident appears to have been precipitated by overloading—a frequent issue affecting vessels in the region’s riverine areas.
Boat accidents are a common occurrence in Nigeria, particularly during the annual rainy season, which spans from March to October, leading to swollen rivers and lakes.
In a similar previous incident in August 2024, at least 16 farmers tragically lost their lives when a wooden canoe they were using to travel across a river capsized en route to their rice fields in Sokoto State.
Additionally, just last month in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, at least 13 individuals perished and dozens more went missing when a boat intended for around 100 passengers capsized.
Furthermore, six girls tragically drowned shortly after their boat capsized while returning from farm work in Jigawa State, another northwestern region.