UPDATE: NIWA CONFIRMS TWO DEAD, NINE RESCUED IN ANOTHER SOKOTO BOAT MISHAP
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another deadly boat accident—the third within the month—at the Jaranja River in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
NIWA’s Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr. Bala Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that two people lost their lives while nine others were rescued.
Bello explained that the accident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, was caused by negligence, canoe overloading, and violations of safety rules.
According to him, a joint rescue team comprising officials from NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Red Cross Society was deployed to the scene.
He noted that the team confirmed the casualty figures and was still conducting search and rescue operations to trace the missing persons.
The Area Manager emphasized that NIWA has continued to sensitize riverine communities on safety protocols, proper use of life jackets, and other water safety measures.
NAN recalls that the Sokoto State Government earlier confirmed the death of four passengers, 41 survivors, and five missing persons in a boat accident at Kojiyo Village in Goronyo Local Government Area on August 17.
Another mishap occurred on August 22 at Faji Community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, making the Jaranja tragedy the third in August.
At the scene of the latest incident, NEMA’s Head of Rescue and Rehabilitation, Tukur Abubakar, said rescue efforts were still ongoing to find the missing passenger.
A resident, Abubakar Jabbi from La, also told NAN that nine passengers were rescued by local divers, one body was recovered, while the remains of a female passenger were still unaccounted for.
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