Death Toll Rises to 53 in Sokoto Boat Accident

The death toll from a boat accident at the Gorau crossing point in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State has risen to 53, after rescuers recovered more bodies from the river.

The boat was reportedly carrying between 75 and 80 passengers, including the village head of Nabatsami Gorau, when it suddenly capsized. Several passengers were thrown into the water, while others remain unaccounted for.

Rescue operations were temporarily suspended on Thursday night because of darkness and difficult conditions but were expected to resume on Friday morning.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), security agencies, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and local divers are involved in the search.

Authorities are still working to determine the exact number of passengers who boarded the boat. Overloading is suspected to be one of the possible causes of the accident.

The boat operator and the village head were among those who survived, while the recovered bodies have been buried according to Islamic rites.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about safety on Nigeria's inland waterways. Authorities have called for stricter enforcement of passenger limits, compulsory use of life jackets, proper certification of boats and operators, improved rescue facilities and stronger navigation regulations.

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