Another boat tragedy has struck Sokoto State, claiming one life, leaving nine rescued, and an 80-year-old woman still missing in Shagari Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening when a boat carrying 11 passengers capsized while crossing the river from Tudun Launa to Ruggar Buda. Eyewitnesses said the victims had returned from a local market in Yabo LGA before embarking on the ill-fated trip. The boat, reportedly overloaded and battling strong currents, lost balance midstream.
Emergency responders from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) rushed to the scene. The body of 29-year-old Salmanu Muhammad Lambara was recovered, while nine others, including the operator, were rescued with the help of local residents.
The whereabouts of Hajiya Hajara, an 80-year-old woman from Malam Gero Lambara, remain unknown. Rescue teams vowed to continue their search until her safety or remains are confirmed.
Local leader Abubakar Jabbi Lambara, a former councilor, confirmed the incident happened between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm when visibility was poor and the river’s current strong.
The tragedy has plunged Lambara and neighboring communities into mourning, with residents decrying the recurring boat mishaps in the state. Many blamed the reliance on old, wooden canoes, the absence of life jackets, and poor regulation of night-time water travel.
This marks the third boat accident in Sokoto within a month, heightening calls for urgent government action to improve safety on waterways. Community members and stakeholders are demanding safer transportation alternatives and stricter enforcement of safety measures to prevent further loss of lives.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
— World Lens Reporter
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