A devastating boat capsize has claimed dozens of lives in the riverine town of Gorau, Goronyo Local Government Area, after a wooden ferry transporting agricultural workers overturned in transit early Thursday morning.
​The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. as more than 80 passengers, a significant number of them adolescent workers between 10 and 15 years old embarked across the river to harvest local rice fields. Local emergency responders and native divers were quickly deployed to the scene, though swift water currents significantly slowed initial recovery efforts.
​Key officials and local representatives provided updating accounts as rescue operations unfolded throughout the day; Abdulkadir Yusuf, State Manager for the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), confirmed that at least 47 bodies have been officially recovered from the river.
Usman Yusuf Gorau, a local community leader assisting at the bank, reported that community divers had pulled up to 57 victims from the water by Thursday afternoon.
Hon. Zubairu Yari, Chairman of Goronyo Local Government Council, cited severe overcrowding as the main factor behind the sinking and noted active search operations are ongoing.
Hon. Bashir Usman Gorau, the area’s federal lawmaker, publicly urged the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority to temporarily shut down water release from the nearby Goronyo Dam to reduce current speeds and aid recovery teams.
Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, issued a statement extending condolences to the grief-stricken town, calling the loss of young lives deeply tragic.
​Mass funeral rites were held in Gorau on Thursday afternoon for identified victims. Waterways authorities continue to warn against overloading non-motorized crafts, a persistent issue across rural river networks during peak harvest season. Emergency personnel remain along the riverbanks searching for missing passengers.
