Sokoto State in North West Nigeria is notorious for kidnapping and banditry
At least 10 people have been confirmed dead in a tragic boat accident in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as terrified villagers attempted to flee an impending bandit attack in Zalla Bango, a remote settlement near the border.
The Sokoto State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the fatalities.
“The incident actually happened when the villagers were trying to escape from bandits,” Rufai stated.
“Unfortunately, all 10 passengers on board drowned, and their corpses have been recovered and buried accordingly, following Islamic rites.”
Local reports according to Channels TV, indicated that the victims were trying to cross a river in haste when their boat collided with the remains of a collapsed culvert, causing it to capsize.
Chairman of the Sabon Birni LGA, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, who visited the scene, described the situation as deeply distressing. “The boat hit the edge of a collapsed culvert, which led to its breaking and eventual sinking,” he explained. “We are doing everything possible to rescue any potential survivors and recover the bodies of the deceased.”
Although both national and state emergency management agencies have yet to issue statements, local authorities continue to assess the full scale of the disaster. Hashimu added that efforts were ongoing to confirm whether additional passengers might still be missing.
The tragedy comes amid escalating insecurity in parts of Sokoto State. In a separate attack over the weekend, suspected members of the Lakurawa terror group reportedly invaded Santana village in Tangaza LGA, killing the village head, 47-year-old Murtala Sa’adu, and his neighbor, Ibrahim Maikudi.
The twin incidents highlight the grim reality faced by residents of rural Sokoto, where fear of violent attacks is forcing families to take increasingly desperate—and dangerous—steps to seek safety.
