SOKOTO — Twenty nine (29) passengers including a bride-to-be and five children of a traditional ruler perished in a boat mishap.
The incident occurred around 8: am on Wednesday, April 13 at Gidan Magana village, Ginga settlement in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
The victims, mostly children between nine and 17 years old, were crossing the river to a nearby bush to fetch firewood which they sold in their community.
Six of the passengers were, however, rescued.
The chairman of Shagari local government area, Aliyu Abubakar Dantani, said he heard about the incident from the counsellor representing Dande Mahe and he quickly called the Divisional Police Officer and they came to the village together.
“We counted 28 bodies at the scene of the incident and they are all from the same village,” he said.
He said the deceased have been buried in accordance with the Islamic rites on Wednesday evening.
The Village head of Gidan Magana, Malam Muhammadu Auwal, who lost five of his children in the mishap, said 23 females and six males were among the deceased.
He stated that the incident happened shortly after the boat took off, adding that the victims were crossing the river to fetch firewood because of its scarcity in their community.
Auwal noted that the tragedy occurred when many of the elderly people in the village were resting at homes after the dawn prayer.
“You know the kind of situation we are in. There is a serious shortage of firewood which we use to make our meals. The children used to go to the nearby bush across the river to fetch fire wood for their parents while some of them sell it to get money.
“The sailor lost its control shortly after takeoff because of heavy waves. And it capsized.
“I was sleeping when some youth came to my house and informed me about the incident. I mobilized the people of my community, including our local divers, but before we reached there many of the children had died.
“I lost five of my children and two younger sisters of my wives. I also lost my niece whose wedding was fixed for one week after Sallah. This is the greatest tragedy that has ever happened in our community. We pray to Allah to grant their souls eternal rest and give us the fortitude to bear their loss,” he said.
Aliyu Muhammad, who lost his 12-year old daughter, Rufaida in the accident, said his child was healthy before she left for the bush.
“I was going to the farm when my wife told me that my daughter is going to fetch firewood for us. When I was coming back, I heard people shouting and screaming for help that a boat capsized in our river.
“When I reached home, my younger children told me that Rufaida was among those onboard the canoe, so I rushed to the river side only for me to see her lifeless body lying by the river bank,” he said in a emotion-ladden voice.
Three victims of the boat mishap, Asma’u, Na’ima and Hadiza, 10, 9 and 8 years old, respectively, told Daily Trust how they survived the accident.
Asma’u said after the boat capsized, she started swimming to the river bank before she was rescued by her elder brother.
While Na’ima and Hadiza, said they were rescued by local divers.
Asma’u however listed some of her friends who did not survive the mishap.
Condoling with the residents of the village, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was accompanied by his deputy, Manir Dan’iya; the state chairman of PDP, Bello Goronyo, and some commissioners, prayed to Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
