The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of six people after a canoe capsized in Garin-faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to the agency, 30 people were involved in the canoe accident that happened on Friday in the State
NEMA stated that out of the 30 persons involved in the accident, 21 survived including two canoe operators, adding that six dead bodies were recovered from the river, while three others are still missing.
The agency, in a statement on Sunday by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, noted that the search and rescue operation was still ongoing to find the missing persons.
The recovered bodies recovered from the water, according to NEMA have been buried according to Islamic rite before the arrival of the joint team to the village.
According to the statement, NEMA and the Sokoto Operations Office responded to the report of the incident on Saturday alongside other stakeholders which include, NIWA, SEMA, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Red Cross, Sokoto State Ministry of Works, member representing Sabon-birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly in the company of officials of the local government council 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 for transportation and commercial activities, particularly ensuring the use of life jackets by crew and passengers.
The statement further stated that the state operation is monitoring the search and rescue operations, adding that it will continue to bring updates on the incident.
Last week, over 50 people were involved in a boat mishap in Goronyo, Sokoto which claimed four lives.
