At least 40 people are missing after a passenger boat capsized in Sokoto State on Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed.
The boat, which was carrying more than 50 people, was travelling to the popular Goronyo market when it overturned in the river.
NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, said only 10 passengers had been rescued so far.
“About 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing,” she wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
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She added that NEMA, in collaboration with local authorities and emergency responders, had launched a search and rescue mission to find the missing passengers.
“We are committed to saving lives, providing timely updates, and supporting the affected families,” Umar assured.
The tragic accident comes just days after another deadly boat mishap in Niger State, where 13 people died and many others went missing.
Boat accidents are common in parts of Nigeria where river travel serves as a major means of transportation, often due to poor safety standards, overcrowding, and lack of life jackets.
NEMA has urged river users to take safety precautions as rescue efforts continue in Sokoto.