At least 30 traders, including women, are feared dead following a boat mishap on Sunday in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The victims were said to be heading to the weekly Goronyo market when the boat, loaded with passengers, motorcycles, and goods, capsized around 1:30 p.m.
Eyewitnesses attributed the tragedy to overloading. The passengers reportedly came from communities in both Goronyo and neighbouring Gada LGAs.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Goronyo LGA, Hon. Zubairu Yari, disclosed that four persons were rescued alive, though the exact number of those on board could not be ascertained.
“The traders came from different communities, including Gada LGA, to attend the Sunday market. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the situation is challenging due to heavy water flow from Goronyo Dam, which is being released to prevent overflow,” he said.
Yari explained that appeals had been made to nearby communities to help recover the bodies of the victims. He linked the tragedy to overloading and poor road accessibility, which has made water transport a necessity for residents.
The council chairman further directed that boats should no longer be overloaded, while stressing the need for passenger manifests for all canoe operations in the area.
Meanwhile, the member representing Gada-Goronyo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bashir Usman Gorau, has urged the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority to temporarily halt the release of water from the Goronyo Dam to aid rescue efforts.
“I urge the authorities to consider a temporary halt in the water discharge for a few hours. This will greatly assist our brave rescue teams in recovering the remains of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate tragedy,” he appealed.
Sokoto State has recorded a series of fatal boat mishaps in recent years, especially in Shagari Local Government Area.
In April 2022, 28 people died after a boat carrying 34 passengers struck a submerged tree in Gidan-Magana village.
In October 2022, another accident claimed 15 lives when a boat carrying 25 passengers capsized en route to a Maulud celebration.
In May 2023, at least 17 teenagers drowned in Dandeji River while heading to fetch firewood.
In June 2025, seven people, including minors and mothers, died when a boat capsized in Rinaye village.