The death of 15 persons in a boat which capsized in Sabke River in Mai’adua local government area of Katsina State, has made it 44 death on the nation’s inland waterways in one month.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which was, however, saddled with the responsibility of providing regulations on the inland waterways has abdicated it responsibility, thereby, leading to death of innocent Nigerians.

It was gathered that on 13th April, 2022, 29 persons died in Sokoto state after a boat capsized in Gidan-Magana village of Shagari Local Government Area.

The village head of Gidan-Magana, Mohammed Auwalu, said that the boat left the village with 34 people on board, but that 29 people died when it capsized.

He said: “It happened when the boat was trying to cross over to nearby Badiyawa village. The boat hit a tree inside the water and capsized. Rescuers, however, saved six people and the deceased have since been buried according to Muslim rites.”

However, on Thursday, 4th May, 2022, no fewer than 15 persons were confirmed dead when the boat capsized in Sabke River in Mai’adua local government area of Katsina State.

File photo

The incident which occurred at night when the boat carrying passengers reportedly capsized leading to the death of the victims.

The remains of the deceased persons were buried on Thursday  at about 7:30 am in the Tsabu town of Mai’adua council.

The state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, who was at the burial ceremony, said the passengers who were residents of Yardodo area were on their way to pay Sallah homage to their relations at Bariya village when they met their untimely death.

The commissioner therefore appealed to the government to intervene by providing live-jackets and modern boats for commercial activity instead of using locally made boats.