Dozens Feared Dead as Sokoto Boat Capsizes

Emergency responders in Sokoto State's Goronyo Local Government Area are contending with a capsized boat carrying farmers and workers to rice fields, with reports of dozens dead and many missing. Initial accounts say the vessel had more than 70 people on board, including a large number of children aged 10 to 15. So far, authorities have recovered about 40 bodies and rescued around six people, including the village head, with rescue operations ongoing and divers scanning the water for more survivors. The National Emergency Management Agency and local state agencies have mobilized to coordinate the search and determine casualties and causes. Details on the exact death toll vary across reports and an ongoing investigation is expected as more information becomes available. The incident comes amid a series of similar accidents in the same area last year, heightening concerns about waterways safety in Goronyo.