46 bodies recovered, 15 rescued in Sokoto boat accident

Tragedy struck the Gorau community in Sokoto State, Nigeria, when a boat carrying 77 passengers capsized, leading to the recovery of 46 bodies and the rescue of 15 individuals. The ill-fated vessel was en route to rice farms when the accident occurred on Thursday.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the grim toll, with the command's spokesman, DSP Ahmed Rufai, stating that rescue operations continue for the 16 passengers still missing. The rescue team comprises local divers, officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the police.

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Forty-six corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive. The rescue team, comprising local divers, NEMA, SEMA and the Police, is still searching for the remaining 16 persons.

Details surrounding the cause of the accident remain unclear as the search for survivors persists. The incident has plunged the Gorau community into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. A local resident described the immediate aftermath, noting that initial rescue efforts yielded few survivors and several bodies.

This latest tragedy echoes a similar boat accident that occurred exactly one year prior in the Kijio community, also within the Goronyo Local Government Area. The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, expressed deep sorrow, calling for urgent measures to prevent future occurrences. He described the incident as a "devastating tragedy," particularly noting the presence of children between the ages of 10 and 15 among the passengers.

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I am deeply saddened by this tragic incident and the loss