The National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, has confirmed that over 40 people are still missing, while 10 have been rescued when a boat carrying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market had capsized on Sunday morning.
This was disclosed by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who said the agency activated its response immediately after receiving reports that a boat carrying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market, in Sokoto State, had capsized.
“About 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing,” Rescue workers are still searching, NEMA added
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office (SOO), has deployed its response team to support ongoing rescue operations following a tragic boat mishap in Sokoto State today.
NEMA SOO, in collaboration with local authorities and emergency responders, is intensifying search and rescue operations to locate the missing persons. The Agency reassures the public of its commitment to saving lives, providing timely updates, and coordinating all necessary support for the affected families.
Although, as at the time of filing this report, Sooth News gathered that the rescuers are facing difficulties as a result of strong overflowing water from the river Goronyo dam. The locals are appealing to the Government to dredge the river during the dry season
Hundreds of lives are lost as a result of a series of similar accidents in some part of the country. It could be recalled that boat accidents are common on Nigeria’s waterways due to overcrowding, poor safety, non-enforcement and compliance, and poor maintenance, particularly during the annual rainy season when rivers and lakes overflow. Within the year, we witnessed similar accidents in Taraba State, Niger State, Sokoto State, Kwara State, etc.
