By Nkechi Eze
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of six persons following a canoe mishap in Garin-Faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, even as search and rescue operations continue for three others still missing.
The accident, which occurred on Friday, 22nd August 2025, involved a total of 30 passengers. According to an official statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel of NEMA’s Press Unit, 21 persons were rescued alive, including the two canoe operators, while six bodies were recovered from the river. The bodies, however, had been buried according to Islamic rites before the arrival of emergency responders.
NEMA disclosed that its Sokoto Operations Office (SOO) promptly responded to reports of the incident, working in close coordination with a wide array of stakeholders. The joint response team included personnel from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Red Cross, Sokoto State Ministry of Works, local government officials, and traditional leaders. The member representing Sabon-Birni constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly was also present to support the efforts.
While rescue operations remain ongoing to locate the three missing passengers, NEMA and its partners used the opportunity to reiterate calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols on Nigerian waterways. The agency urged relevant regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with safety standards in the operation of canoes and boats, stressing the need for both crew and passengers to wear life jackets at all times.
“The Sokoto Operations Office is closely monitoring the search and rescue operations and will continue to provide updates on the incident,” the statement assured.
The tragedy once again brings to the fore the recurring dangers faced by rural communities that rely on canoes and boats as their main mode of transportation, underscoring the urgent need for improved regulation, sensitisation, and safety compliance across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
