The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of six people following a canoe accident in Garin-Faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to the agency, the incident occurred on Friday, involving 30 passengers. Out of the number, 21 people, including two canoe operators, were rescued alive. Six bodies were recovered from the river, while three persons remain missing.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, said search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing victims.
The agency further explained that the recovered bodies were buried in line with Islamic rites before the arrival of the joint rescue team to the village.
NEMA urged relevant regulatory authorities to enforce compliance with safety protocols on waterways, stressing the need for crew and passengers to always use life jackets during canoe and boat operations across the country.
