ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — Rescue teams in northern Nigeria are searching for more than 40 missing passengers after a crowded boat capsized on the River Goronyo in Sokoto state on Sunday, authorities said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that the vessel, which was transporting more than 50 people to the Goronyo market, overturned during its journey. Ten passengers were rescued, while the rest remain unaccounted for. Officials confirmed that local divers, police, and emergency workers are intensifying search and rescue efforts.
Zubaidar Umar, the head of NEMA, announced on the social media platform X that the operation was ongoing and that the agency was working closely with Sokoto state officials to locate the missing. Local authorities earlier confirmed that at least four survivors were found shortly after the accident.
Boat accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often caused by overcrowding, lack of enforcement of safety rules, and poorly maintained vessels. Despite regulations requiring life jackets for all passengers, compliance is rare, particularly in rural communities where boats are used daily for trade and travel.
Sunday’s disaster highlights a recurring safety crisis on Nigeria’s waterways. In December 2024, 54 bodies were recovered from the River Niger after a vessel believed to be carrying more than 200 people capsized. A month earlier, nearly 200 people drowned when a canoe packed with close to 300 passengers overturned in Niger state.
Another major tragedy occurred two years ago when more than 100 people died after a boat carrying around 300 passengers from Kwara state to Niger state capsized following a wedding celebration.
Just three weeks ago, at least 13 people died in Niger state when another overcrowded boat carrying about 100 passengers overturned. That accident left dozens more missing.
NEMA said the Sokoto rescue operation would continue until all passengers were accounted for, stressing that Nigeria must urgently improve maritime safety to prevent repeated tragedies.
