By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
At least 40 people are missing and feared dead after a boat capsized on Sunday in the Goronyo area of Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the vessel was carrying passengers to a local market when it overturned. Ten people have so far been rescued, while search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Boat mishaps are frequent in Nigeria’s riverine communities, especially during the rainy season, often linked to overcrowding and poorly maintained vessels.
Just last month, at least 25 people were killed in a similar accident in north-central Nigeria. According to data compiled by TheCable, more than 326 lives were lost in boat accidents across the country last year.
Experts attribute the recurring tragedies to a lack of life jackets and weak enforcement of safety regulations by authorities.
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