Rescue Efforts Ongoing in Goronyo
A riverboat carrying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market capsized in Sokoto State, Nigeria, on August 17, 2025, leaving 40 missing and feared dead. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported 10 rescues, with search operations ongoing in the Goronyo area.
The incident, attributed to overloading by local officials, reflects a recurring issue during Nigeria’s rainy season, when rivers overflow. NEMA’s Sokoto team, led by Zubaida Umar, is collaborating with local divers and authorities to locate survivors, amid challenging riverine conditions.
Boating accidents claimed 326 lives in Nigeria in 2024, per TheCable, with weak regulatory enforcement and lack of life jackets cited as factors. A similar July 2025 incident in Niger State killed 13, highlighting persistent safety gaps in remote communities.