Amanze Chinonye
At least 52 people have died after an overloaded boat capsized in northwestern Nigeria’s Sokoto State, with many of the victims reported to be children, as rescue teams continued efforts to recover bodies and determine the full scale of the disaster, Prime Business Africa reports.
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The boat overturned on Thursday near Gorau in the Goronyo Local Government Area as passengers travelled to farms across the waterway, according to residents and officials. The vessel was reportedly carrying farmers and labourers, and accounts indicated that more than 70 people may have been aboard.
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The death toll rose from an initial 47 as recovery operations continued. Sokoto authorities reported 52 deaths on Friday, while local residents had earlier reported that dozens of bodies had been recovered and buried.
Dahir Kure, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency in Sokoto, said rescue operations were under way but that officials were still gathering information about the incident and could not initially provide a definitive casualty figure.
Abdulkadir Yusuf, the National Inland Waterways Authority’s area manager in Sokoto, said at least 40 children were among the bodies recovered. A state lawmaker, Nasiru Adamu, said many of those aboard were between 10 and 15 years old.
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A Reuters witness saw about 50 bodies, many wrapped in mats and traditional cloth, lying in the forecourt of a community mosque in Gorau ahead of burial. A lawmaker said 16 people had been rescued.
The accident has renewed concerns over safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, where overcrowding, poor vessel maintenance and weak enforcement of safety regulations have contributed to repeated fatal accidents, particularly during the rainy season.
Boat accidents remain a recurring danger for communities that depend on waterways to reach farms and markets. At least five people drowned in a separate boat accident in neighbouring Jigawa State last month, while another accident in January killed at least 25 people travelling between Jigawa and Yobe states.
Rescue and recovery operations in Gorau were continuing as authorities worked to establish the circumstances of the accident and account for those who were on board.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
