More bodies recovered, days after boat capsized in Sokoto

The death toll continues to rise after a wooden boat capsized in River Dundaye, Wamakko Local Government Area, Sokoto State. On Tuesday, rescuers recovered the body of a teenage girl, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to 10. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, leaving the community in shock and grief.

The ill-fated boat was carrying a group of teenagers and elderly villagers who had been hired for manual labor on farms along the riverbanks. Midway through their journey, the boat encountered violent waves, causing it to capsize and throw its passengers into the fast-moving water. The boat’s captain reportedly lost control just meters away from their destination.

Despite the immediate rescue efforts of the local community, alongside officials from the Sokoto Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 20 survivors were pulled from the water. However, the search continues for those still missing, as the river’s strong currents and wide expanse make recovery efforts challenging.

As the community mourns, officials have vowed to continue the search and have called for heightened safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of river transport, especially in rural areas where such accidents are all too common.