Sokoto confirms 5 dead in Goronyo boat mishap

The Sokoto State Government has confirmed that five passengers tragically lost their lives in a boat accident at Kojiyo Village, Goronyo Local Government Area.

According to Abubakar Bawa, Director General of Press Affairs and Publicity at the Government House, the incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2025, when a boat traveling along the Sokoto Rima River capsized.

Bawa stated that four passengers remain unaccounted for, while 41 others were rescued during a joint search operation by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Goronyo Local Government Council.

Following the incident, a delegation led by Deputy Governor Idris Muhammed Gobir visited Goronyo to commiserate with the local community and families of the victims.

During the visit, Gobir announced government support amounting to ₦20 million, 100 bags of food for affected families, and 20 motorized boats with life jackets to improve safety in riverine communities statewide. Two of the boats were immediately allocated to Goronyo Local Government Area.