An overboard boat with passengers not wearing life jackets at the marine area of Badagry, Lagos. File Photo:
No fewer than 20 people have been killed in a boat mishap, which occurred in Gandi District of Rabah in Sokoto state, northwest Nigeria.
As stated by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the vessel was carrying 50 passengers.
Famzn News learned that it overturned in strong currents in a river around 10:00 am on Thursday.
“Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the overloaded boat which capsized due to strong waves,” NEMA official Suleiman Karim said.
Reports say the passengers were heading to Garin Kare village on the other side of the river to check on their homes.
They deserted their homes following deadly raids last month by suspected cattle rustlers on neighbouring villages.
In the meantime, the Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has commiserated with the families of the victims of the boat accident.