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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has dismissed claims that around 150 bandits drowned in a boat accident in the Sabon Gida area of Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State.
The report, which circulated over the weekend, alleged that a boat carrying suspected bandits capsized while crossing a local waterway, throwing occupants into the water.
Eyewitnesses, as cited in some reports, said the vessel was transporting a large number of armed men.
But Bello Bala, NIWA’s Sokoto Zonal Area Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that the report was false.
He said the river mentioned in the claims is not navigable and urged the media to verify information before publication.
Bala added that NIWA has been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, including life jacket use and general water transport guidelines.
“If such an incident had occurred, community members would have reported it to water users’ association leaders,” he said.
A source from the 8th Division of the Nigerian Army also confirmed the report was false, stating that troops were present in the area and there had been no capsizing or related incidents.
