KANO: A heartbreaking incident occurred in northwest Nigeria as fifteen children lost their lives, while another 25 are still missing after an overloaded boat capsized on a river. The local official in charge, Aliyu Abubakar, confirmed the devastating news on Wednesday.
The ill-fated incident took place when the children, hailing from Dundeji village in Sokoto State, embarked on a journey across the Shagari River to collect firewood in a nearby bush. Unfortunately, the boat sank, resulting in the loss of precious lives.
Abubakar, the local administrator of the Shagari district, expressed his grief over the tragedy. “We woke up to a tragedy on Tuesday morning, where a boat carrying children capsized mid-river,” he said.
The rescue teams and authorities managed to recover the bodies of 15 victims, comprising 13 girls and two boys, who were subsequently laid to rest in the village. However, the search operation is ongoing as divers continue their efforts to locate the 25 missing children.
River accidents common in Nigeria
River accidents are distressingly common in Nigeria, often caused by factors such as overloading, lack of proper maintenance, heavy rainfall during the rainy season, and a disregard for safety regulations.
Mohammed Yello Abubakar, a relative of one of the missing children and a boatman on the Shagari River, expressed his prayers and condolences. “I will only pray for the repose of those who lost their lives, and may Allah give their parents the fortitude to bear the loss because whoever loses his loved one has no other choice.”
Tragically, this is not the first incident of its kind in the region. In April last year, 29 children from Gidan Magana village in Sokoto also drowned in the same river while on a similar journey to gather firewood for their families. Additionally, during heavy flooding in December 2022, at least 76 people lost their lives when a boat sank in a swollen river in southeast Anambra State.
Authorities in Nigeria have attempted to implement safety measures, such as banning night-time sailing and penalizing overloading. However, skippers and crews often disregard these rules. River transport and market trade are crucial in Nigeria due to inadequate road infrastructure, with the Niger River serving as a significant trade route in West Africa.
