A survivor of the boat accident that happened in Sokoto on Sunday, August 17, has shared his account of the tragic event.
Husseini Goronyo, who was on the boat when it sank, said that the accident was due to the boat being overloaded with too many people and motorcycles.
The survivor was on his way to the Goronyo market when the incident occurred.
Husseini recalled that “I got onto the boat with several others heading to Goronyo market. It was crowded with passengers and goods, but this was common, and no one seemed to worry.
“Then, suddenly, I noticed the boat tilting and sinking into the river, with many women on board screaming and crying.
“I managed to swim to safety during the chaos and even helped another person who was struggling near the riverbank.”
According to Husseini, six people were rescued, and search efforts are still ongoing to find the others who were on the boat.
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Spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ezekiel Manzo, while providing an update on the boat accident, stated that over 50 people were trying to reach Goronyo Market when the boat capsized.
While some believe strong winds caused the accident, others, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), say it was due to overloading.
As of now, 25 passengers have been rescued, while around 25 are still missing.
Also, seven motorcycles have been pulled from the water, but no bodies have been found yet.
