Tambuwal, Shagari mourn victims of Sokoto boat accident, demand action

A boat accident occurred in Sokoto state, northwestern Nigeria, resulting in significant loss of life. According to Punch Nigeria, 46 bodies were recovered and 15 people were rescued, with rescue operations continuing for missing passengers. The boat, which was carrying farmers and labourers to their rice farms, capsized in a river.

The estimated death toll varies across reports, with Punch stating 41 lives lost, BusinessDay Nigeria reporting 40 feared dead, and DW News and DW English (Top Stories) confirming at least 50 people dead. Local officials and residents reported that at least 40 children were among the casualties.

Tambuwal and Shagari expressed grief over the tragic accident, calling for urgent investigations and stronger safety measures, as reported by Punch. The incident highlights the risk of deadly boat accidents in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season, often caused by overloaded boats, poor maintenance, or failure to comply with safety regulations.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Punch Nigeria, BusinessDay Nigeria, DW News, DW English (Top Stories) — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.