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Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has mourned the 46 people killed in a boat accident in Gorau Community, Sokoto State.
“The news of this boat mishap deeply saddens me. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this difficult time,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
The boat, carrying 77 passengers, including farmers, women and children, capsized shortly after leaving the community on Thursday morning.
The Sokoto State Police Command said 46 bodies had been recovered, while 15 passengers were rescued alive.
The victims were travelling within Goronyo Local Government Area when the boat overturned, prompting a search-and-rescue operation involving local divers, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the police.
Tinubu described the incident as a tragedy and extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the Sokoto State Government and residents.
He prayed for the repose of the victims and the recovery of those injured.
The President also commended emergency responders and local authorities for their rescue efforts.
Tinubu directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and NEMA to work with the Sokoto State Government to strengthen safety measures and prevent similar accidents on the state’s waterways.
He assured Sokoto residents of the Nigerian Government’s support after the tragedy.
The accident occurred exactly one year after a similar boat mishap in Kijio Community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
