A boat carrying over 80 individuals capsized in a river in Sokoto State, Nigeria, resulting in at least 47 fatalities, according to officials and local residents. The incident occurred as many passengers, primarily heading to farms for work in Gorau town within the Goronyo local government area, faced this tragedy.

Abdulkadir Yusuf, the manager for Sokoto State at the National Inland Waterways Authority, reported the death toll reaching 47. He stated that efforts were ongoing to confirm the final count.

A local resident and witness, Samaila Garba, aged 55, shared the personal loss of his 13-year-old granddaughter, Jamila Usman. He recounted counting no less than 42 bodies, with the majority being women and children, emphasizing the trend during the rainy season when they often go to the farms for work.

Another resident, Aminu Dan Hajiya, expressed his relief at not being on the ill-fated boat, mentioning the profound impact this tragedy has had on every household within the community.

Community leader Usman Yusuf corroborated that more than 80 individuals had boarded the boat and confirmed the burial of 41 victims so far.

Boat accidents remain frequent in Nigeria, attributed largely to inadequate safety regulation enforcement. Faulty vessels often operate without life jackets, contributing to dangerous travel conditions. In a related incident, at least 25 people died in a boat accident in Yobe State earlier in the year.