No fewer than seven persons were killed in a boat accident that occurred while they were travelling from Gidan Husaini to Gwargawu village in Kambama Ward in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Monday.
The victims were reportedly commuting across a local waterway when the sad tragedy occurred, causing shockwaves across the immediate community and beyond.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been made public, but local authorities verified to our correspondent on Tuesday that all seven were from Gidan Husaini village.
Leading a condolences delegation on behalf of the Sokoto State Government, the Commissioner for Finance, Muhammadu Jabbi Shagari, described the occurrence as not only painful for the Shagari community but also a colossal loss for the entire state and the Muslim ummah.
“This is a great tragedy. We mourn not just as a local community but as a state. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this difficult time,” said Shagari while addressing mourners in Gidan Husaini.
He offered earnest prayers for the repose of the deceased souls, asking Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus.
Shagari also took the opportunity to offer a strong warning to those who frequently travel by water.
He urged canoe and boat passengers to always wear lifejackets, underlining that taking such a basic precaution might mean the difference between life and death in the event of an accident.
In addition, he issued a strong warning to canoe and boat owners about overloading their vessels, a widespread practice that dramatically increases the risk of capsizing.
“Safety must always come first. No journey is worth a life lost due to negligence or preventable risks,” he stressed.
In their response, mourning family members of the victims expressed heartfelt gratitude to the commissioner for his prompt visit and words of comfort.
They prayed that Allah would amply reward him for his compassion and solidarity during their hour of sorrow.
The tragedy has raised worries about the safety of water transportation in Sokoto State’s rural districts, where canoes are still used on a regular basis due to poor infrastructure.
Demands for tougher enforcement of safety laws and the provision of life-saving equipment are once again gaining traction.
The Sokoto State Government is anticipated to conduct additional discussions with local stakeholders in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again.
