Officials report at least 16 feared dead after a boat capsized in Nigeria’s Sokoto state on Sunday.
The incident has sparked a wave of concern as rescue efforts continue amid growing fears for the missing.
The National Emergency Management Agency stated on X that 19 survived, one body was found, and 16, including women and children, remain missing.
The agency urged caution on waterways as the search intensifies.
Local media revealed over 30 were aboard the wooden boat, heading to farmlands.
The tragedy has highlighted the challenges of using such vessels for vital daily travel in rural regions.
Frequent boat accidents have plagued Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.
These incidents often result from overloading, poor maintenance, and lack of safety measures, raising safety concerns.
As rescue operations persist, authorities call for improved water transport safety.
The tragedy underscores the urgent need for better regulations to prevent future disasters on Nigeria’s waterways.
