About 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying more than 70 farmers and agricultural labourers capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident reportedly occurred while the passengers were crossing a stream on their way to their rice farms.
Most of those aboard the boat were said to be children between the ages of 10 and 15, who were travelling alongside farmers and agricultural workers heading to the farms.
An eyewitness said the boat capsized shortly after setting out, leaving several passengers trapped in the water.
A local journalist at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said about 40 bodies had been recovered, while six people, including the village head, were rescued.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” Kiliya told our reporter.
He said those on board included farm owners and labourers hired to harvest rice.
“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said.
The village head was reportedly among the passengers but survived the accident.
Local divers and residents have joined rescue efforts as the search continues for passengers who remain missing.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of water transportation in rural communities, where farmers often rely on canoes and boats to reach their farms, particularly during the farming season.
Similar Boat Accident in Jigawa
The Sokoto tragedy comes weeks after another boat accident in Jigawa State reportedly claimed dozens of lives.
In July 2026, about 40 women and children were feared dead after a canoe capsized in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that one body had been recovered while rescue teams continued searching for the other passengers.
“One of the bodies was recovered. Efforts to recover the 39 are underway,” the command said.
Muhammad Sanusi, Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, said the passengers were mainly female farmers and agricultural workers travelling by canoe.
He said the cause of the accident was not immediately known as emergency responders, local divers and residents continued the search.
“Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” Sanusi said.
Why Boat Accidents Remain a Concern
Boat accidents remain a recurring concern in several rural communities across northern Nigeria, where waterways are frequently used to access farms and neighbouring communities.
Overcrowding, poorly maintained boats and inadequate access to life jackets are among the safety challenges often linked to such accidents.
As rescue operations continue in Gorau, the final number of casualties from the Sokoto incident has yet to be officially confirmed.
BACKSTORY:
Boat accidents remain a recurring safety concern in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where residents and farmers depend on waterways to access farms and neighbouring settlements.
Many farming communities in riverine areas rely on canoes and other small boats during the agricultural season. However, concerns over overcrowding, inadequate safety equipment, poor maintenance and limited access to life jackets have continued to raise the risk of fatal accidents.
The Sokoto incident occurred in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area, as farmers and agricultural labourers were reportedly travelling across a stream to their rice farms. The large number of passengers on board, including several children, has heightened concerns over water transportation safety in the area.
The tragedy also comes weeks after a similar boat accident in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where about 40 women and children were feared dead after a canoe capsized.
With rescue operations still underway in Gorau, authorities and local residents are continuing efforts to locate missing passengers and recover bodies. The exact number of casualties is yet to be officially confirmed.
