Over 40 Missing, 10 Rescued In Sokoto Boat Accident

Rescue workers are searching for more than 40 people after a boat accident in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto State, the country’s emergency agency said on Sunday.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said in a statement that the boat, which was carrying more than 50 passengers to a market, capsized on Sunday morning.

“About 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing,” NEMA added.

Boat accidents are common on Nigeria’s poorly regulated waterways due to overcrowding and poor maintenance, particularly during the annual rainy season when rivers and lakes overflow.

At least 16 farmers died in a similar accident in August 2024 when a wooden canoe carrying them across a river to their rice fields capsized in Sokoto state.

On July 29, six girls drowned after a boat taking them home from farm work capsized midstream in northwestern Jigawa State.

Two days earlier, at least 13 people had died in another boat accident in central Niger State.

See the full statement by NEMA below:

NEMA, SOO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO RESCUE VICTIMS OF BOAT MISHAP

17th August, 2025

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office (SOO), has deployed its response team to support ongoing rescue operations following a tragic boat mishap in Sokoto State today.

The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, activated the Agency’s response immediately after receiving reports that a boat conveying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market had capsized.

As at the time of this report, about 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing.

NEMA SOO, in collaboration with local authorities and emergency responders, is intensifying search and rescue operations to locate the missing persons.

The Agency reassures the public of its commitment to saving lives, providing timely updates, and coordinating all necessary support for the affected families.

-Channels