More than 40 people are feared missing after a boat carrying over 50 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto State, authorities confirmed Sunday.
The boat was en route to the Goronyo Market when it overturned, with early reports suggesting that overloading may have contributed to the tragedy — a frequent cause of such incidents in the region’s riverine communities.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said its Sokoto operations office had deployed a response team to support ongoing rescue operations.
“So far, about 10 people have been rescued, while more than 40 others remain unaccounted for,” NEMA said in a statement posted on social media.
Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, described the incident as a “tragic boat mishap,” adding that rescue teams were working closely with local authorities to search for the missing.
Boat accidents are a recurring problem in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season between March and October, when rising water levels and unsafe practices — such as overloading and poor maintenance — heighten the risk.
This latest tragedy follows a series of deadly maritime accidents in the country. In August 2024, at least 16 farmers died in Sokoto State after a wooden canoe capsized on their way to rice fields.
Last month, another disaster in Niger State left at least 13 dead and dozens missing when a boat with around 100 passengers overturned. Just two days later, six girls drowned in Jigawa State after their boat capsized midstream
