By Obinna Uballa
More than 150 suspected armed bandits reportedly drowned after a boat capsized in Sabon Gida area of Sokoto State.
According to local sources cited by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred in the evening as the group attempted to cross a riverine area in large numbers.
The sources said the vessel, allegedly overloaded with armed men, overturned mid-transit, throwing all occupants into the water. Preliminary accounts suggested that many of those onboard were unable to swim, raising fears of heavy casualties.
Unverified initial reports further indicated that none of the passengers survived, although details regarding possible survivors, recovery efforts, or wreckage remain unclear.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from the Nigerian Army or the Nigeria Police Force. Authorities have also not issued statements verifying the incident or providing casualty figures.
The claims have generated mixed reactions online. Security experts note that such incidents, if confirmed, could significantly impact criminal networks operating across Nigeria’s North-West region, where banditry, kidnapping, and rural attacks have persisted in recent years.
However, analysts caution that the situation remains fluid, and the claims should be treated with caution pending confirmation from official sources.
