The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the rescue of 26 persons in the boat mishap that occurred in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while search for the 25 missing passengers was still ongoing.
The Head of NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, Mr Aliyu Kafindangi, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday while leading the search team.
Kafindangi said that the incident occurred on Sunday, adding that the ill-fated boat was carrying 51 passengers, along with goods and motorcycles, when it capsized.
He said that seven motorcycles were also retrieved from the water and that rescue efforts would continue as authorities race against time to locate the missing passengers.
“The rescue operation is ongoing. We have also alerted neighbouring communities to assist in the search for more victims,” Kafindangi said.
Also, the Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Muhammad Bala, said that the agency had impounded the boat involved in the incident.
Bala urged boat and canoe operators to always adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent future tragedies.
He attributed the cause of the mishap to wind and overloading, emphasising the need for stakeholders to intensify vigilance on canoe and boat operators business.
“The safety of passengers must always be a priority.
“Overloading and ignoring basic safety measures put lives at risk,” Bala said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that officials of NEMA, NIWA, and SEMA and LG, community leaders (sarkin Ruwa of Kojiyo and Goronyo), as well as local divers were all involved in the operations.
