The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 41 persons were rescued and four others lost their lives in the recent boat mishap that occurred at Kojiyo village, near Goronyo Dam in Sokoto State. The tragedy, which struck on Sunday, August 17, 2025, prompted an immediate multi-agency rescue operation that has now been officially concluded.
In a statement on Friday, NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, said the death toll rose following the recovery of an additional body earlier in the day. The deceased was buried in accordance with Islamic rites after a funeral prayer. “As part of the Thursday, August 21 rescue operations, the response team visited four villages—Takuske, Kwakwazu, Bari, and Gamiha—where many of the passengers of the ill-fated boat were said to have resided,” Ezekiel explained. “During the visits, it was confirmed that 16 persons survived the mishap.”
The rescue operation, according to NEMA, was a joint effort involving the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local community divers. Officials said the collaboration not only ensured the safe rescue of several passengers but also helped verify the number of people still missing.
Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, commended the diligence of the rescue team and acknowledged the critical role played by local stakeholders. She praised the swift response of all agencies involved, noting that their synergy made the difficult operation a success despite the challenging conditions on the dam.
The Goronyo boat accident has once again raised concerns about water safety in Nigeria’s inland waterways, where incidents of overcrowding, lack of life jackets, and poorly maintained boats continue to claim lives. Authorities urged communities along the waterways to prioritise safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
