Twenty-five people are still missing from the boat accident which occurred in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Sunday.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel said 25 others have been rescued from the boat mishap involving over 50 passengers.
Ezekiel who confirmed that an additional 15 persons have been rescued so far, said that there is a total of 25 survivors from the accident.
He also said the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar has reiterated the agency’s committment to intensifying the rescue mission until all missing persons are found.
“Recall that the ill-fated canoe, carrying over 50 passengers en route to Goronyo Market, capsized in Kojiyo village on Sunday. Initial operations had led to the rescue of 10 passengers, while the intensified efforts yielded an additional 15 rescues. Authorities also recovered seven motorcycles from the river.
“To enhance the effectiveness of the operation, the management of Goronyo Dam has temporarily closed the dam for two days, allowing divers and rescuers greater access to the affected area,” Ezekiel said.
He added that the rescue team led by Aliyu Kafindangi, the Head of the Agency’s Sokoto Operations Office is working around the clock to ensure the rescue of the victims of the accident.
“The team is working in close collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local divers to sustain the coordinated search and rescue operations,” he said.