Tragedy struck once again in Nigeria's Sokoto State as a passenger boat capsized in the Sokoto River on Friday, leaving several people feared missing and sparking fears of multiple casualties.
This incident marks the second such accident in the region within a short period, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for riverine transportation in the area.
According to local authorities and eyewitness accounts, the boat, which was carrying an undisclosed number of passengers, overturned near the Aga community in the Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The mishap occurred around midday on August 29, 2025, during what was described as routine travel along the river.
Initial reports suggest that the vessel may have been overloaded or encountered rough waters, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.Rescue operations were swiftly launched by local divers, the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
As of late Friday evening, at least five individuals have been rescued and are receiving medical attention at a nearby health facility, but officials fear that up to 15 others remain unaccounted for.
"We are doing everything possible to locate the missing passengers. The water levels are high due to recent rains, which is complicating the search," said a spokesperson for SEMA in a statement to reporters.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with passengers scrambling for safety as the boat began to sink. One survivor, who spoke anonymously, recounted, "The boat was full, and suddenly it started tilting. We heard screams everywhere before it went under."
Videos circulating on social media showed debris floating in the river and rescuers pulling survivors from the water, underscoring the perilous conditions.
This capsizing comes just weeks after a similar incident in the same region, where a boat carrying over 20 people overturned, resulting in several deaths and prompting calls for improved safety measures.
In that earlier event, authorities attributed the accident to poor maintenance and overloading, issues that appear to persist.
The Sokoto River, a vital waterway for transportation and fishing in the predominantly agrarian northwest state, has seen a rise in such accidents amid seasonal flooding exacerbated by climate change.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu has expressed his condolences and directed all relevant agencies to intensify rescue efforts while ordering a thorough probe into the incident.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families. We will not rest until every missing person is accounted for," the governor stated via his official X account.
He also reiterated commitments to enforce stricter regulations on boat operators, including mandatory life jackets and vessel inspections.
Human rights groups and local communities have long criticized the lack of adequate infrastructure and safety protocols on Nigeria's inland waterways.
As search operations continue into Saturday, residents along the riverbank are urged to assist where possible, and the public has been advised to avoid the area.
Updates from authorities are expected as more details emerge, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those relying on river transport in remote parts of Nigeria.
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