Seven passengers, including the paddler, have drowned on Monday, June 2, 2025, when a wooden canoe capsized while navigating a river route between Gidan Hussaini and Sabon Garin Hussaini in Sokoto State.
The fatal incident occurred around 11:00 a.m., leaving no survivors among the occupants of the vessel.
According to reports, the canoe was reported to be en route to Sabon Garin Hussaini when it overturned midway through the journey under circumstances yet to be officially confirmed.
Local sources also said the boat capsized suddenly, throwing all seven passengers into the river.
Rescue efforts began almost immediately, but all victims were recovered lifeless.
The deceased included the paddler and six passengers who were residents of the surrounding communities.
Security operatives were swiftly deployed to the riverside following reports of the incident.
They cordoned off the area to restrict the gathering of crowds and prevent interference with emergency operations.
A local rescue team, made up of volunteer divers and community members, joined efforts to retrieve the bodies from the river.
Within a few hours, all the victims were recovered and handed over to their grieving families for burial in accordance with local customs.
The names of the deceased have not been officially released pending family notifications.
Witnesses described the tragic scene as heartbreaking. Many residents from both Gidan Hussaini and Sabon Garin Hussaini gathered along the riverbanks in shock and mourning as the recovery mission progressed.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency or other relevant authorities.
However, preliminary findings suggest that the canoe may have been overloaded or affected by strong currents.
Water transport is a common mode of travel for residents in the area, who often rely on canoes to move between villages for trade, schooling, and farming. Many of the watercrafts lack life jackets or other safety equipment.
Community leaders have urged the government to enforce stricter safety regulations on water travel in rural areas.
They also called for investment in safer transportation alternatives, especially in communities separated by rivers.
This incident adds to the growing number of fatalities linked to unsafe water transportation in Nigeria’s northern regions.
Residents are demanding government action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As of press time, the river route remains closed while investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
