At least six people have died, and three others are missing after a boat capsized in the Garin Faji area of Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto state.
The accident happened in the early hours of Thursday as residents fled an attack by suspected bandits.
It was the second such tragedy in less than a week.
Four people had drowned in a similar incident six days earlier in neighbouring Goronyo local government area.
Residents said dozens of villagers attempted to cross the water in panic after sighting bandits advancing towards them.
“They rushed into the canoe, but it could not carry them all and it capsized midway,” a resident said.
A local source said the victims had been sleeping in bushes to avoid nighttime attacks and were returning home when the tragedy occurred.
Hon. Aminu Boza, who represents Sabon Birni in the Sokoto state House of Assembly, confirmed the incident.
He said insecurity had forced many residents to abandon their homes.
“Some communities are now completely deserted. Most men spend the night in the bush and only return home in the morning,” Boza said.
He added that the state government had deployed armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to Sabon Birni, which had helped security forces record some successes.
“Just two days ago, security personnel foiled an attack and arrested four suspected bandits. But the area still requires more security presence,” he said.
The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also confirmed the accident.
A senior official said 19 people were rescued from the water, while search operations were ongoing for the missing persons.
He said SEMA had visited the affected community with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Red Cross to confirm casualties and engage with victims’ families.
A joint report on the incident is expected to be released soon.
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