The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office (SOO), has confirmed a boat mishap that claimed the lives of seven persons in the Sullubawa community of Shagari Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The incident was made known on Wednesday via a post on the agency’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
According to the post, the incident occurred on Monday, June 2, 2025, at about 9:30 a.m., when a boat carrying passengers capsized mid-river.
A joint emergency response team from NEMA and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was dispatched to the scene to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and gather firsthand information.
“A joint team from NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was promptly deployed to the area to gather firsthand information about the incident. The tragic event occurred on Monday, 2nd June 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., when a boat capsized mid-river, resulting in the drowning of seven individuals,” the post read.
Preliminary findings suggest that the boat capsized due to strong winds that overwhelmed it during the journey.
Officials present during the visit included the Chairman of Shagari Local Government Council and the legislator representing the area.
NEMA said further updates would be provided as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
