At least 48 people have drowned in north-western Nigeria after a wooden vessel carrying more than 70 passengers overturned on a river in a remote part of Sokoto State.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning as residents of Gorau village travelled towards their rice fields during the ongoing harvest season.
Local residents said the boat was heavily packed when water began entering through a leak, causing it to lose stability and overturn.
About 10 passengers are reported to have survived the accident, while several others remain unaccounted for.
Rescue teams continued searching the water overnight as authorities attempted to locate those still missing.
Bashir Usman Gorau, a legislator representing the area, said a significant number of those who died were children.
In the farming communities, young people commonly accompany their parents to agricultural sites, particularly during periods of harvesting.
Pictures from the village mosque showed recovered victims covered with mats and traditional fabrics in preparation for burial.
The difficult terrain has complicated rescue operations. Poor road connections and limited telephone networks have also restricted communication with the affected community.
Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) has deployed personnel to the area. However, local residents said security personnel faced difficulties reaching the location because of the presence of armed groups operating nearby.
North-western and north-central Nigeria have experienced persistent insecurity, with criminal gangs involved in kidnappings and attacks across several communities.
The activities of such groups have made access to isolated settlements increasingly challenging.
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of inland water transport in Nigeria.
Boat disasters are frequently attributed to excessive passenger loads, deteriorating vessels and inadequate compliance with maritime safety regulations.
Several similar incidents have occurred in recent months. In January, 26 people died after a vessel carrying farmers and fishermen travelling between Jigawa and Yobe states sank.
In December 2024, 54 bodies were recovered from the River Niger following the capsizing of a boat believed to have carried more than 200 passengers.
Authorities have previously proposed improved vessels, compulsory use of life-saving equipment, waterway dredging and increased monitoring at landing points. They have also called for stricter licensing and professional training for boat operators.
Despite these recommendations, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in isolated rural areas where waterways serve as vital transport routes.
For many communities, boats remain essential for reaching farms, markets and neighbouring settlements because inadequate roads and limited bridges make road travel difficult.
Wooden vessels are therefore widely used to move both passengers and agricultural produce.
The search operation in Sokoto remains underway as authorities work to establish the final number of casualties.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong