Tragic: 17 children die in Sokoto boat accident

By Habibu Harisu

Seventeen out of about 40 children going to fetch firewood diedd when a boat they were traveling in capsized in Dandeji river in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The Council Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Dantani, confirmed the incident in Sokoto.

He said that the accident occurred on Tuesday morning and the corpses were evacuated by local divers and buried according to Islamic rite at about 2 30 p.m.

The Chairman explained that about 40 girls and boys were on their way to fetch firewood at a nearby bush when the boat capsized.

He said some of the passengers swam to safety while the search for others was ongoing.

A resident, Mamman Ibrahim, said the accident was reported by a canoe owner, adding that while 17 corpses were recovered, local divers are still searching for other victims.

A similar incident occurred on April 13, 2022 at Gidan Magana village of Sokoto where 29 persons mostly teenagers died.

The deceased were also on their way to fetch firewood, a traditional activity of children in the area, who are mostly out of school.

(NAN)