A survivor of the Sokoto boat accident that happened on Sunday, August 17, has shared his first-hand account of the tragedy.

Husseini Goronyo, who survived, said the accident was caused by the boat carrying too many passengers and motorcycles.

He explained that he was heading to Goronyo market when the incident occurred.

Husseini said, “I boarded the boat with others going to Goronyo market. The boat was crowded with people and goods, but no one seemed worried because it had happened before.

Suddenly, from where I sat at the back, I saw the boat tipping into the river, with many women crying and panicking.”

“I was able to swim to safety during the chaos. I even rescued another person who was struggling to breathe near the riverbank. Six of us were rescued yesterday, and search efforts are still ongoing to find the remaining passengers,” he added.

Ezekiel Manzo, a NEMA spokesperson, said over 50 passengers were on the boat when it capsized. Some blamed the wind, but NIWA confirmed the real cause was overloading.

Twenty-five passengers survived, about twenty-five are still missing, and seven motorcycles were retrieved. No bodies have been found yet.

The search and rescue operation was paused at 7 pm and will continue tomorrow at 7 am. The dam management has given two days for the rescue before opening the dam to release water and prevent collapse.