By Obinna Uballa
At least 25 people remain missing and are presumed dead following a boat accident in Sokoto State, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Another 25 passengers were rescued two days after the vessel, carrying about 50 people, capsized on Sunday.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which gave the update on Tuesday, said no bodies have been recovered as of Tuesday morning.
The boat was reportedly ferrying women, children, and motorcycles to Goronyo market, a major regional hub for food produce, when the tragedy struck.
According to experts, boat accidents are common during the rainy season,which are often linked to overloaded vessels and poor safety enforcement.
Local authorities cited overloading and inadequate road infrastructure, which forces many residents to rely on water transport, as contributing factors, Reuters reported.
Zubairu Yari, chairman of Goronyo Local Government, explained that rescue operations have been slow on account of strong currents from a nearby dam, complicating recovery efforts.
