President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with families of those who died after a boat carrying 77 passengers, including women, children and farmers, capsized shortly after departing a community in Sokoto State on Thursday.
President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the families of victims of the boat accident in Gorau Community of Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which claimed many lives and left others missing.
He described the incident as a tragedy and also extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Sokoto State.
“The news of this boat mishap deeply saddens me. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this difficult time. I pray that God grants the departed eternal rest and gives their loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
Tinubu also commended emergency responders and local authorities for their swift rescue and recovery efforts.
He directed relevant federal agencies, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to work closely with the Sokoto State Government to prevent a recurrence and to ensure safety standards on waterways are strictly enforced.
The President further prayed for the quick recovery of those injured and assured the people of Sokoto of the Federal Government’s support at this trying moment.
At least 46 people were killed in the boat accident on Thursday
The boat, which was conveying 77 passengers, including farmers, women and children, was said to have capsized shortly after departing the community on Thursday morning.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that at least 46 bodies had been recovered while 15 passengers were rescued alive.
It also said the search-and-rescue operation involved local divers, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the police.
The incident came exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.
