Authorities in northwestern Nigeria are searching for dozens of people feared missing after a passenger boat overturned on a river in Sokoto State.
The incident reportedly occurred Sunday near the Goronyo area as the vessel carried traders heading to a local market, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
In a statement issued late that evening, the agency confirmed that only 10 survivors have been rescued so far, while search-and-rescue teams continue combing the waters.
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This latest mishap underscores a troubling pattern of boat disasters in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when rivers swell and poorly maintained, overloaded boats struggle to stay afloat.
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Just last month, a similar tragedy in north-central Nigeria left at least 25 passengers dead after their boat capsized en route to a market.
Figures compiled by local outlet TheCable show the alarming scale of the crisis: more than 326 people lost their lives in boat accidents across the country in 2024 alone.
Analysts argue that weak enforcement of safety rules and the widespread absence of life jackets only worsen the risks for travelers who depend on these vessels.
