By Patrick Idowu
At least six people have died and three others remain missing after a boat capsized in Garin Faji, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as residents fled an attack by suspected bandits.
The tragedy, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, August 21, is the second in less than a week. Six days earlier, four villagers drowned in a similar incident in nearby Goronyo LGA.
According to eyewitnesses, panic broke out when residents, who had been sleeping in nearby bushes to avoid night raids, saw bandits advancing. In their bid to escape, dozens rushed into a canoe, which became overloaded and capsized midway across the water.
Hon. Aminu Boza, member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni, confirmed the incident, lamenting that insecurity had forced many communities into displacement.
“Some villages are completely deserted. Men spend the night in the bush and only return home in the morning,” he said.
Boza disclosed that the state government had deployed Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), to Sabon Birni to bolster security, noting recent successes, including the arrest of four suspected bandits.
However, he stressed that more security presence was urgently needed.
The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also confirmed the accident.
A senior official said 19 people were rescued, while search and rescue operations were ongoing for the missing.
“In response, SEMA led a joint assessment mission with NEMA, NIWA, and the Red Cross to confirm casualties and provide support to affected families,” the official stated. A comprehensive report on the incident is expected soon.
