At least 47 killed as boat carrying farmers capsizes in Sokoto

At least 47 persons lost their lives following the capsizing of a boat conveying farm laborers in a river at Sokoto State, sources claim.

The unfortunate accident happened yesterday as the victims were making a journey to their respective farms in Gorau in the Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.

According to Abdulkadir Yusuf, the Sokoto State manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority, at least 47 persons have been killed “so far.”

One of the residents, Samaila Garba aged 55 years, stated that his 13-year-old granddaughter, Jamila Usman, was one of the victims.

Garba said he had personally counted at least 42 bodies recovered from the water, adding that most of the victims were women and children.

“You know, during the rainy season, most women and children go to the farm to work,” he told the Associated Press.

Another resident, Aminu Dan Hajiya, said he regularly uses the same waterway to access his farm and considered himself fortunate not to have been aboard the boat.

“In fact, almost every household in the community has been affected,” he said.

The incident has left residents mourning as efforts continue to account for the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding the boat’s capsizing.