By Deborah Nnamdi
A devastating boat accident struck Garin-Faji Village in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State early Friday morning, leaving six people dead and three others missing. The vessel, carrying dozens of passengers, capsized in a local water channel around 5:30 a.m., casting a pall of grief over the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the boat overturned midway through its journey, throwing all occupants into the river. Local divers and first responders were able to rescue 19 passengers, but three remain unaccounted for—sparking fears that the death toll could rise.
The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed the fatalities in a statement released on Sunday, noting that search and rescue efforts are ongoing.“Our teams, together with local divers, continue to comb the river to locate the missing individuals,” the agency said.
A joint assessment team—including representatives from SEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Sokoto Operations Office, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Red Cross—visited the village to assess the situation and support affected families.
The delegation, led by Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Kafin-Dangi, Head of NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, met with community leaders, traditional rulers, and relatives of the victims to gather eyewitness accounts and offer comfort.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and community members. We remain committed to finding the missing persons and learning from this tragedy to improve safety across our waterways,” said Kafin-Dangi.
Authorities stressed the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations among boat operators. Hon. Aminu Liman Bodinga, Special Adviser to Sokoto SEMA, underscored the importance of improved monitoring and compliance to prevent future incidents.
Community members have also mobilised in the rescue efforts, contributing boats, ropes, and manpower to assist emergency teams. SEMA announced plans to release a comprehensive joint report on the incident, which will include recommendations to enhance waterway safety.
This latest tragedy adds to a troubling pattern of boat mishaps in Sokoto, exposing ongoing challenges faced by residents who depend on rivers for transportation. Officials have reiterated the critical need for improved safety standards—particularly in rural communities.
Search and rescue operations are continuing as responders and volunteers comb the river in hopes of locating the remaining three passengers and bringing closure to grieving families.
