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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat mishap at Faji community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
NIWA area manager in Sokoto, Mr Bala Bello, told journalists in Sokoto yesterday that six persons died and 19 survivors were rescued, while three people were still missing.
Bello, who said the incident occurred on August 22, attributed it to negligence, canoe overloading and violation of safety rules.
He explained that a team of Inspectors, comprising officials from NIWA, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Red Cross Society had visited the affected community.
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He said the team confirmed the casualties figures, while search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the three missing persons.
He reiterated that NIWA had been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, guidelines, use of life jackets and other considerations on water usage.
The Sokoto State Government confirmed the death of four passengers, 41 survivors and five missing persons in a boat mishap on August 17, at Kojiyo village in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.
The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred along the Sokoto Rima River, when the boat carrying the passengers capsized.
