Overloaded Boat Capsizes in Nigeria's Sokoto State, Killing at Least 52

At least 52 people died after an overloaded boat carrying farm workers capsized on Thursday, August 2026, in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto State.

The boat overturned near Gorau town in the Goronyo local government area. Many of the victims were women and children. Abdulkadir Yusuf, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Sokoto State manager, confirmed the death toll. Tukur Abubakar, head of operations for the National Emergency Management Agency in Sokoto state, confirmed the death toll rose to 52 on Friday.

More than 80 passengers were on board, with most traveling to farms for work. Residents cited by Reuters said initial estimates varied, with one saying more than 70 and another 57. Samaila Garba, a resident, counted at least 42 bodies, mostly women and children. Sokoto state lawmaker Nasiru Adamu stated 16 people were rescued. Bashir Usman Gorau, another lawmaker, said the wooden vessel was overloaded and developed a leak.

Abdulkadir Yusuf reported that about 40 children's bodies had been recovered. A Reuters witness saw about 50 bodies, many wrapped in mats and traditional cloth, awaiting burial at a community mosque. Local reports indicated at least 52 victims were eventually buried, including 11 members of one family. Aminu Dan Hajiya, a resident, said almost every household in the community has been affected.

Boat accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often blamed on overloading, poor maintenance, and safety practices. Eleven people died in June when a wooden passenger boat capsized on the Benue River near Makurdi. The remote location, poor access, and unreliable mobile phone coverage made information difficult to obtain. Security services could not reach the area due to an armed group active nearby on Thursday.

The latest tragedy comes about a year after another major boat accident in the same local government area on August 17, 2025, when a canoe carrying more than 50 passengers capsized.