At least 46 bodies have so far been recovered following a boat accident in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the state Police Command has confirmed.
The accident occurred on Thursday when a boat carrying 77 passengers, including men, women and children, reportedly capsized in the community.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said 46 corpses had been recovered while 15 passengers were rescued alive.
Rufai said rescue operations were still ongoing, with security agencies and emergency responders searching for the remaining 16 passengers.
According to him, the rescue team comprises local divers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and the Police.
He said, “46 corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive. The rescue team, comprising local divers, NEMA, SEMA and the Police, is still searching for the remaining 16 persons.”
The police spokesman added that “77 persons were on board the boat at the time of the incident.”
The development has thrown Gorau community into mourning, with families anxiously waiting for information about their loved ones.
The latest incident occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
Earlier, a resident of Gorau who spoke on condition of anonymity said the accident occurred Thursday morning, although the casualty figure was initially difficult to establish.
The resident said, “Only a few people were initially reported rescued, while several bodies were recovered from the water. Rescue efforts are ongoing as local divers and emergency responders continue searching for those still missing.”
The resident appealed to the authorities to intensify the rescue operation, saying many families were still waiting anxiously for news of their relatives.
Meanwhile, a senior NEMA official who identified himself simply as Alhaji Ibrahim told our correspondent that the agency had mobilised personnel to the community.
He said, “Our officials are currently on their way to the community to join the rescue operation.”
The cause of the accident was not immediately known, while rescue operations continued as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has expressed deep sorrow over the boat accident in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area.
Reacting to the tragedy in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya described the incident as a “devastating tragedy,” particularly as some of the passengers were reportedly children between the ages of 10 and 15 travelling with farmers and labourers.
He said, “I am deeply saddened by this tragic incident and the loss of precious lives in Gorau. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones and those whose relatives are still missing.”
The ADC candidate commended local divers and residents participating in the rescue operation, while urging the Sokoto State Government and relevant emergency agencies to immediately deploy additional personnel, medical teams and rescue equipment to the affected community.
Dan’iya also called for proper identification and documentation of victims to enable their families to receive appropriate assistance.
He said the incident had exposed the urgent need to provide safer means of transportation for farming communities located around waterways.
“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for safer means of transportation for our farming communities. No farmer should have to risk his or her life simply to access a farm and provide food for the family,” he said.
Dan’iya called for a comprehensive assessment of waterways in the state, provision of properly regulated boats and life jackets, training of boat operators, emergency response equipment and the construction of bridges or alternative crossings where necessary.
According to him, “The safety and welfare of rural communities must remain a fundamental responsibility of government, especially when citizens are travelling to their farms to produce food and sustain their families.”
He further pledged that an ADC administration in Sokoto would prioritise rural infrastructure, agricultural development and community safety.
Dan’iya extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, the Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government and the people of Sokoto State.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as the search and rescue operation continues.
