At least 46 bodies have been recovered after a passenger boat carrying 77 people capsized in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with rescue teams continuing search operations for 24 passengers still missing.
Key Highlights:
- Boat carrying 77 passengers capsized in Goronyo LGA of Sokoto State.
- 46 bodies recovered so far, according to police.
- Seven passengers rescued alive.
- 24 passengers remain missing as search efforts continue.
- Boat was travelling from Gorau to Birjingo when the accident occurred.
- Incident comes about a year after a similar boat tragedy in the same area.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday, stating that the vessel was travelling from Gorau to Birjingo when it capsized under circumstances that are yet to be officially determined.
Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, said rescue and recovery efforts were ongoing.
“There were 77 passengers moving from Gorau to Birjingo. Seven were rescued alive, 46 recovered dead, while 24 have been declared missing. Search is still on,” Rufai said.
Read Also:
- Insecurity: CP addresses Sokoto State Assembly, seeks legislative support
- Police in Sokoto State begin crime mapping, mass deployment of officers over insecurity
- Sokoto Govt approves contracts worth over N12B for state development
The police figures account for all 77 passengers on board, although authorities noted that casualty figures could change as search and rescue operations continue.
Conflicting Casualty Figures Emerge
While police confirmed 46 deaths, other reports have provided varying casualty figures.
Some accounts indicated that the death toll may be higher, with local sources reporting additional bodies recovered after the initial police briefing. However, authorities have yet to issue an updated official figure.
The discrepancies have not been independently reconciled as rescue efforts remain underway.
Cause of Accident Yet to Be Determined
Authorities have not officially established the cause of the boat mishap.
Investigators and emergency responders are expected to assess factors that may have contributed to the tragedy, including possible overloading, weather conditions, mechanical failure or safety compliance issues.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the safety challenges facing water transportation in many riverine communities across northern Nigeria.
Similar Boat Disaster Occurred in 2025
The latest tragedy occurred almost exactly one year after another fatal boat accident in Goronyo Local Government Area.
In August 2025, a canoe carrying more than 50 passengers capsized near Kojiyo Village while travelling to Goronyo Market.
Following a joint rescue operation involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and local divers, authorities confirmed fatalities and several missing passengers.
In response to the 2025 disaster, the Sokoto State Government procured motorised boats and life jackets for riverine communities, including allocations to Goronyo LGA.
Renewed Concerns Over Water Transport Safety
The recurrence of another major boat accident in the same area has renewed concerns over water transportation safety standards, particularly in communities where residents rely heavily on waterways for access to farms, markets and neighbouring settlements.
Stakeholders have called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, increased use of life jackets and improved monitoring of passenger boats operating across inland waterways.
Search and rescue operations are expected to continue until all missing passengers are accounted for.
