Nigeria: Over 40 Missing After Deadly Boat Accident

Edited By: Tendai Zola

Rescue operations are underway in northwestern Nigeria after a boat carrying around 50 people capsized in Sokoto State, leaving more than 40 passengers missing. The country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident, which occurred on Sunday as the vessel was heading toward the Goronyo market.

According to local officials, only a handful of passengers managed to swim to safety, while others remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue teams have been deployed, though hopes are fading with each passing hour.

Boat accidents are tragically common in Nigeria, especially in rural regions where river transport remains the most widely used means of travel. Overcrowding, poor vessel maintenance, and weak enforcement of safety regulations are often cited as key causes.

In November 2024, a similar tragedy struck in Niger State, where a boat accident claimed dozens of lives. The frequency of such incidents has sparked calls for stronger safety oversight and urgent investment in safer transport alternatives for river communities.

Authorities in Sokoto State have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid overcrowded boats, while emphasizing their commitment to intensify rescue efforts.