The passengers were traveling to Goronyo market, a popular food produce hub.
More than 40 people have been declared missing after a boat carrying 50 passengers capsized in Sokoto State on Sunday. The passengers were on their way to Goronyo market, a popular food produce hub in northwest Nigeria, when the vessel overturned, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed.
According to Zubaidar Umar, Head of NEMA, only 10 people have been rescued so far. “The agency is collaborating with local authorities and emergency responders in a search and rescue operation to locate the missing persons,” she said in a statement posted on X.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of water transportation in rural communities, where overcrowding and poor safety standards are common. Officials said efforts were ongoing to recover both survivors and possible casualties.
The incident comes just three weeks after another boat accident in Niger State, where at least 13 people died and dozens were reported missing after a vessel carrying 100 passengers capsized.