Sokoto Boat Accident: Six Dead, Three Missing as Residents Flee Bandit Attack in Sabon Birni
Story: written by Uzuh Rita August 24,2025
Tragedy struck in Garin Faji, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as at least six people were confirmed dead and three others declared missing following a boat accident.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were among several villagers who attempted to flee a bandit invasion by crossing the river in multiple boats. One of the boats reportedly capsized, leading to heavy casualties.
The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed the incident, with officials stating that 19 passengers were rescued alive, while search-and-rescue operations continue to trace the missing persons.
A senior SEMA official, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a “devastating tragedy,” stressing that emergency teams are working tirelessly to recover the remaining victims.
This latest mishap comes barely six days after a similar boat accident in Goronyo Local Government Area, where four people drowned while also trying to escape a bandit attack.
The incident underscores the growing humanitarian crisis in Sokoto State, where banditry and insecurity continue to force residents into desperate attempts to flee for safety.
