Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
More than 20 bodies have reportedly been recovered following a boat accident in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with rescue teams continuing efforts to locate passengers still missing.
The boat was said to have been carrying about 40 passengers, including men, women and children, when it capsized on Thursday. The exact number of casualties has not been officially confirmed.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said only five passengers had so far been rescued, while more than 20 bodies were reportedly retrieved from the water.
The source said, “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 accident has plunged Gorau community into mourning, as families continue to await information about relatives who were travelling on the boat.
Residents have appealed for stronger rescue operations, particularly to ensure that passengers who may have survived the accident are found quickly.
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has been alerted to the incident. A senior NEMA official, who identified himself simply as Alhaji Ibrahim, said officials were on their way to the affected community.
The cause of the boat accident and the identities of those affected remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The incident reportedly occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, said the command would issue an official statement on the incident.
Rescue operations are expected to continue as emergency officials and local residents search the water for passengers still unaccounted for.
