At least 46 bodies have been recovered following a boat accident in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the state Police Command has confirmed.
The accident occurred on Thursday when a boat carrying 77 passengers, including men, women and children, reportedly capsized in the community.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that 46 bodies had been recovered, while 15 passengers were rescued alive.
He said rescue operations were still ongoing as security agencies and emergency responders searched for the remaining 16 passengers.
“46 corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive. The rescue team, comprising local divers, NEMA, SEMA and the Police, is still searching for the remaining 16 persons,” Rufai said.
He added that all 77 passengers were on board the boat when the incident occurred.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.
The rescue operation involves local divers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Police.
The incident has thrown the Gorau community into mourning, with families anxiously waiting for information about relatives who were travelling on the boat.
A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the accident occurred on Thursday morning, adding that the casualty figure was initially difficult to establish as local divers and residents began rescue efforts.
The resident appealed to the authorities to intensify the search and rescue operation, saying many families were still waiting for news about their loved ones.
Meanwhile, a senior NEMA official, who identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, said the agency had mobilised personnel to the community to support the rescue operation.
The latest incident occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
Reacting to the tragedy, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya described the incident as a “devastating tragedy,” noting that some of the passengers were reportedly children between the ages of 10 and 15 travelling alongside farmers and labourers.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragic incident and the loss of precious lives in Gorau. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones and those whose relatives are still missing,” Dan’iya said.
He commended local divers and residents involved in the rescue operation and urged the Sokoto State Government and relevant emergency agencies to deploy additional personnel, medical teams and rescue equipment to the affected community.
Dan’iya also called for the proper identification and documentation of victims to ensure that affected families receive appropriate assistance.
He further urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive assessment of waterways across the state and provide properly regulated boats, life jackets, trained boat operators and adequate emergency response equipment.
According to him, safer means of transportation are urgently needed for farming communities located around waterways.
“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for safer means of transportation for our farming communities. No farmer should have to risk his or her life simply to access a farm and provide food for the family,” he said.
He also called for the construction of bridges or alternative crossings where necessary to reduce the risks faced by rural communities.
As rescue operations continue, authorities and local divers are still searching for the 16 passengers reported missing.
Families and residents of Gorau continue to await further updates as emergency responders work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
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