The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has reported that only 21 of 30 passengers survived after a canoe capsized in Garin-Faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In a statement on Sunday by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, the agency said six bodies were recovered from the river, while three others are still missing.
According to NEMA, 30 people were involved in the canoe accident, which occurred on Friday, and the search and rescue operation is ongoing to locate the missing persons.
The agency added that the recovered bodies were buried according to Islamic rites before the arrival of the joint response team in the village.
The statement noted that NEMA and the Sokoto Operations Office responded to the incident on Saturday, alongside other stakeholders including NIWA, SEMA, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross, the Sokoto State Ministry of Works, the member representing Sabon-Birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, local government officials, and traditional leaders.
NEMA called on relevant regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the nation’s waterways to enforce compliance with safety protocols and standards in the use of canoes and boats, particularly ensuring the use of life jackets by crew and passengers.
The statement further confirmed that the state operation is monitoring the search and rescue efforts and will continue to provide updates on the incident.
