A boat accident in the Gorau community in the Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State following this has reportedly claimed several lives.
According to a preliminary report from a town resident, the event took place on Thursday when a boat carrying approximately 40 passengers, including men, women, and children, overturned.
This recent incidence occurred exactly one year after a similar incident in the Kijio community of the same LGA.
A town resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the incident to our correspondent but claimed the overall number of casualties could not be determined immediately.
“Only five people have so far been reported rescued, while more than 20 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the water.
“Rescue efforts are ongoing as emergency responders and residents continue searching for passengers who remain missing,” the source stated.
The development has caused the community to mourn, with relatives anxiously awaiting word on the location of their loved ones.
Residents have called for increased rescue efforts to find and save any passengers who may still be alive.
Details on the accident’s cause and the identities of the victims were not immediately available when this story was filed.
More updates are expected as rescue operations continue.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, stated that the command would issue a statement on the incident soon.
A senior staff member of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, simply identified as Alhaji Ibrahim, told our correspondent that NEMA officials are currently on their way to the community.
