Charles Esther
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that only 21 out of 30 passengers survived when a canoe capsized in Garin-Faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Bodies Recovered and Buried
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, six bodies have been recovered from the river, while three passengers remain missing.
The recovered bodies were laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites before the arrival of the response team.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts
NEMA disclosed that the canoe accident occurred on Friday, and rescue operations are still ongoing in an attempt to locate the missing persons.
The Sokoto Operations Office, in collaboration with other agencies, joined the mission on Saturday.
Agencies and Stakeholders Involved
Responding to the tragedy, several organizations participated, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross, the Sokoto State Ministry of Works, members of the State House of Assembly, local government officials, and traditional leaders.
NEMA Calls for Strict Compliance with Safety Protocols
In its statement, NEMA urged relevant regulatory authorities to enforce safety compliance on the nation’s waterways.
The agency emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets for both passengers and crew to prevent future tragedies.
Monitoring and Updates to Continue
NEMA assured that it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates on the progress of the search and rescue operations.
