Nigeria Boat Capsizes in Sokoto, Death Toll Rises to 65

The death toll from a boat mishap at Gorau Village in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria, has risen to 65.

Only 11 survivors have been accounted for following the tragedy, which occurred on Thursday at the Gorau crossing point. The overloaded boat was carrying farm workers, with many victims identified as women and children. Rescue agencies initially recovered 53 bodies before suspending operations on Thursday evening due to darkness and difficult conditions. The search resumed on Friday, leading to the recovery of additional bodies and pushing the confirmed death toll to 65.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the 11 survivors, including Village head Alhaji Na Batsami Gorau. Rescue officials continue to comb the waterways around the Gorau crossing point, although hopes of recovering more survivors have diminished. The Head of Operations for NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Alhaji Tukur Abubakar, declined to comment on the latest casualty figure.

The incident has emerged as one of the deadliest recent waterway disasters in the country, leaving families devastated and communities mourning. The tragedy has heightened concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s inland waterways, particularly in riverine communities where residents rely heavily on boats for transportation and agricultural activities.