The Nigeria boat accident Sokoto left more than 40 passengers missing after a vessel capsized in the River Goronyo on Sunday. The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) said the boat carried over 50 people heading to a local market when it overturned.
A Sokoto official told the BBC that rescuers found four people alive. Nema confirmed that teams are working with local authorities and volunteers to locate those still missing.
Boat accidents happen often in Nigeria because of overcrowding, poorly maintained vessels, and weak safety enforcement. Many rural operators ignore life jacket rules, leaving passengers unprotected when accidents strike.
In December 2024, rescuers pulled 54 bodies from the River Niger after a vessel with more than 200 people sank. Just a month earlier, almost 200 drowned when a wooden canoe overloaded with nearly 300 passengers flipped in the same river.
Two years ago, another disaster claimed more than 100 lives in south-western Nigeria. That boat carried nearly 300 passengers traveling from Kwara to Niger state after a wedding celebration.
Government rules require life jackets for all passengers. However, many boats do not carry them, especially in rural areas. Capacity limits are often ignored, and safety checks rarely take place. These failures make Nigerian waterways some of the deadliest in the world.
The Nigeria boat accident Sokoto highlights the urgent need for tougher enforcement. Rescue workers are combing River Goronyo as families wait anxiously for news. Authorities say they will strengthen safety measures to prevent more tragedies. Nigerians, however, remain worried about recurring disasters on the nation’s rivers.
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