By Chidubem Anthony
Sixteen persons have reportedly been rescued as another boat tragedy claimed over 57 people, mostly children, in Sokoto State on Thursday.
Said to be carrying farmers going for rice harvest, the boat reportedly capsized near Gorau in Goronyo local council area of the state soon after take-off.
A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly from the area, Nasiru Adamu, said those onboard were mostly aged between 10 and 15 years, adding that 16 people had been rescued.
Meanwhile, the Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Abdulkadir Yusuf, said rescue efforts were still ongoing for more survivors or bodies. He disclosed that the bodies of about 40 children had been found.
Hinting at more victims, however, an eyewitness, Sharhabilu Kiliya, said they had “buried 46 people, and even more dead bodies have just been brought. The death toll is 53.”
Another eyewitness and community leader, Usman Yusuf Gorau, said over 80 people were believed to have boarded the boat but that about 57 bodies had been recovered so far.
Explaining the reason for the different figures from different persons, he said that after 41 bodies had been buried, the recovered casualties rose to 57, as local divers and residents continued the search for possible survivors.
